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Profit in Life and Death

Phil 1:21 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (KJV)

Many of us have lived long in Christ and have found Him to be in every aspect sweet and pleasant. He is the giver of life, and light. He is the comfort of the long night. By Him we have a foretaste in this world of heavenly things. He has made, even here, room for green pastures and still crystal waters. As we, by grace, fix our thoughts upon the savior, life is good. We know from our verse, however, that we are on the threshold of even better things through Him.

Here our love for Christ has developed in us a hatred for sin. But sadly, because of our weakness, sin still besets us. It is the anguish of our quiet hour. It is the veil that obscures our sight of higher and nobler planes. The glory and richness of the Savior is hidden from us under the crusty veneer of our transgressions. Sin blocks the ears to heavenly melodies, and by it we are deaf to many gracious and soothing overtures of our Lord’s love.

Troubles beset us here. They roll over us like waves. They both descend upon us like rain and ascend to meet us like sparks from an evil flame. We are marked by the memories of them. Some wounds are, today, open and bleeding others now just scars. All are reminders of the inheritance left to us by our father Adam.

In death all such evils die to us! We shall enter into that perfect rest. Peace will flow over us in rivers from the throne of the Father. Anxiety will be swallowed up in the certainty of sight.

We shall see Him! No matter how rigorous have been the toils, or deep the disappointments, or sharp and piercing the pains, or disfiguring the serpents’ bites, all will be compensated in that moment. He will be our full reward! His glories will erase every regret and fulfill every promise! We will be fitted to enjoy Him fully, for when we see Him, we shall be like Him!

Tonight, when the sleep will not come, nor the pain subside, think on this: It is but a short time and we shall be with Christ!

George Moore

Elder Emeritus