I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…
Summary: Understanding the power of the Gospel is the key to understanding what happens after our bodies die.
Many of you who are reading this have much more experience with death than I do. Some people are better suited to dealing with trauma than others. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in the number of deaths this past year. Many of those who are dying are afraid, but every now and then, you hear of people who, like Paul, “desire to depart and be with Christ.”
One of those who were ready to meet Jesus was a woman I knew personally. Her name was Louise, and she was deeply in love with Jesus. It showed in everything she did. She was amazing.
My wife and I visited with her a few days before she passed. She was weak and tired. The disease that took her life was draining her strength as well, but she was also joyful and radiant. As far as I know, she received visitors up until the day she died. Everyone who took the time to visit left encouraged by her anticipation of being with her Lord.
This attitude toward death is not natural.
The flesh doesn’t want to die because it senses that when death comes it loses all power—the flesh glories in being able to get things for itself. The flesh delights in being able to manipulate and control others. When death comes, the flesh loses everything.
The cure for this fear of death is Jesus. He showed us that the power of God is not cut off at death. Instead, Jesus has the cure for death. It is called “true life.” (John 11:25-26)
As someone who tends to overthink things, I have pondered what this means. What is this difference between “death” and “life” that the Bible talks about?
In the simplest terms, Jesus explains that we are like branches on a grapevine (John 15:5). As long as we are connected to the vine, we have life. The vine supplies everything we need. If we become separated from the vine, we fall to the ground.
For a while, the branch that has fallen remains green. This is what life in the flesh is like. We imagine that we can live without being connected to the vine. Of course, that doesn’t work. Without the life-giving nutrients from the vine, the branch on the ground begins to dry out. It becomes brittle and inflexible and, when completely dry, is only fit for the fire.
Is the green branch on the ground doomed?
It doesn’t have to be.
Jesus can graft it back into the vine if we allow him to. Paul did, and so did Louise. Their lives and attitudes are testimonies to the power of the Vine, Jesus Christ.
Application: Seek Jesus every day.
Food for Thought: Why is Paul so confident that he will actually be with Jesus after he dies?
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Well he did have the advantage of seeing the risen Lord (Acts 9). And he did have a vision (or was literally taken) to heaven to get a glimpse while he was still alive. 2 Corinthians 12: 1 – 4: I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were inexpressible, things that man is not permitted to tell.
He also knew he had placed his faith where it needed to be and he was anticipating the promised reward. 2 Timothy 4: 6 – 8: For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
His confidence helps Louise and all of us. He saw the risen Lord and sacrificed greatly for the gospel. He knew whether or not it was true. And he died in full expectation of that eternal reward.
Thanks, Rich!
Great summary! His confidence is contagious! 🙂
Why is Paul so confident that he will actually be with Jesus after he dies?
God has ordained this truth be recorded, preserved in His word:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
John 3:36
The thief on the cross had never heard of Jesus, he had had never done good works, yet as he hung beside Jesus, he defended the righteousness of Jesus being crucified beside him, this was counted to the thief as righteousness, and Jesus said to him,
Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.
Luke 23:43
In Jesus Christ we have received eternal life as spiritual beings remaining confined in these physical bodies. When these bodies cease to function, the spirits of believers will leave the bodies and dwell with Jesus in the Eternal, Spiritual Kingdom of God. Our dead, earthly housings have no place in heaven so will remain here in the dirt.
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
John 4:24
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8
Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7
For believers in Jesus Christ, after physical death our eternal souls/spirits are taken to heaven because we have been made pure in Christ.
John 3:16, 18, 36.
Death for the believer is separation from our physical housing and life in our true home with the Lord.
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Philippians 1:23
Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
John 5:28-29
Thank you, Ron!
Excellent summary! The hope of joining Jesus in our “true home” is powerful!