February 12, 2024 -- Philippians 1:21 -- Life and Death

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21 ESV

While preparing for a recent sermon I heard a minister mention the previous centuries past practice of some Christians, which I found bizarre. It is called memento mori. That Latin phrased is translated to “remember you have to die”. So, as a reminder of their inevitable death some Christians would keep a skull on their study desk. The 17th century puritan Thomas Smith is one such person. There is a well-known self-portrait of him at his desk with his hand on a human skull. Why on earth do this?

It was a reminder that all men must die. It is a reminder that all the pleasures of this world, all its pains, all its temptations and all its glories will soon fade away. The Judgment Seat awaits all people. Whatever can be described as truly lasting, all that is reliable treasure is found in Christ alone. That is why the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians noting for him to live is Christ—the pleasures of this world can not hold a candle to Him. Death is not terrifying to Paul, nor to any believer. Christ his Savior has by His life, death, and resurrection opened the way for Paul, and for all believers, so that their death and burial is the entryway to God. The result is that believers have confidence they will enter the Presence of the Father in heaven. This entry into heaven is based on the accomplished work of Jesus.

Such confidence is demonstrated in the life of the believer by his growing dedication to and zeal for Jesus. Such confident hope in Jesus bears fruit in the life of the believer so that the things of this world lose much of their appeal. The Word of God and times spent in prayer are not a burden, but are instead experienced as life-giving, joy-affirming, and hope renewing activities. The believer sees through the things that this world celebrates and idolizes. A Christian can scarcely watch the movies, events, and the prized things of this world because he knows they are merely funeral processions, highly decorated, but those involved in them are unaware that for all their finery their destination is the grave and judgment before God Who is holy. Memento mori—remember you have to die.

Blessed are You, O God our Father. Thank You for the grace and peace which flow to believers based on the accomplished work of our Lord Jesus Christ—Who gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to Your will, O Father. To You, Father, with the Son and the Holy Spirit be glory forever and ever. Amen.

https://youtu.be/JbgG0Monvd8?si=oaRCqV4V5HP10yFZ “In Christ Alone” Michael W. Smith

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