The title of this post, "To Live And To Die", sounds like the information here is morbid and doom and gloom. I promise you that is not the case! Let me quote a wonderful Scripture found at Philippians 1:21 :
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
This was written by the apostle Paul. His life found all its meaning in Christ, Who was his secret to continual joy. This can also be the case with all true Christians who put Jesus first in their lives, and who live a godly life and thereby endeavor to imitate Him in their daily walk in love and obedience.
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." - John 14: 23
Many who read "to die is gain" in Philippians 1:21, concentrate on just that part of the verse and they think of being in heaven forever with the Lord. All that is true, but you need to be a born again believer, sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13), in order to make it to heaven. "To die is gain" refers to the fact that we will be with Christ after death; that is, if you are a true believer who has lived a life of obedience and faith in the good Lord. Works do not save you; faith in Jesus is what saves you. But a true believer will bring forth much fruit, and will obey and follow Jesus with a pure heart.
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." - James 2:26
True believers will endeavor to live a Christ-like life....to "live Christ." Galatians 2:20 tells us:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me."
The above verse is the apostle Paul speaking again. What faith he had ! What devotion and dedication he exhibited ! May we all be likewise!
The thought behind "to me to live is Christ" is that we be so one with Christ that we do only His will, and continually have "the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16)
Keep in mind, also, that we are not only to "live Christ" but to bring Him glory as well. Praise Him and give Him glory in all we do and say. Let our lives, our hearts, our minds, our actions, our speech, reflect good things and give glory to God and Jesus in everything !
"To live is Christ" means that we will want to know more about the Lord and to take in as much knowledge of Him as possible. To do that we need to read our Bibles daily, as well as to pray daily. You get to know more about a person by communicating with him, Do the same with the good Lord. Develop a close, intimate, personal, love relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
If we are truly saved, we will also have the enthusiasm for preaching the gospel and for witnessing at every opportunity. We may also have to give up anything that prevents us from serving the Lord. Anything that takes up all of our time needs to be dealt with and eliminated in order to enable us to live for the Lord with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength.
We need to fix our eyes on Jesus. Put Him first !
Following is a 4 minute worship song about to live is Christ:
All of the above does not apply to those who are unbelievers. But look up, folks! Jesus loves you and is waiting to hear from you! All you need to do is to repent of your sins and do not live a life of sin any more, pray for forgiveness, and sincerely dedicate your whole life to the Lord as you turn to Him in faith and trust. Believe Jesus is the Savior and that His shed blood at Calvary will wash your sins away. Believe also in His resurrection. All of this takes faith on your part. It is that faith that will save you where you may live for Christ and have the hope of eternal life.
Do not delay !
We all want to live forever ! Let it be with the Lord in heaven !
Jesus gives us hope, a glorious future, a purpose in life right now, (to serve Him and to be a light and witness bearer).
Wouldn't you rather be in eternity where there is no more sin, no more death, and no more sorrow? - Revelation 21:4
This old earth is passing away soon! - 1 John 2:17
Jesus is eternal and you can be as well !
There is hope !
"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:17
Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us : (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend.....and life !
