1 Kings 1-2 | Luke 19:28-48

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27

Guess what? Nobody is really equipped to live until they have been equipped to die. Why? Because if we are not equipped to die, there is always that dark cloud hanging over us every single morning as we ponder: “Why if? What if my car goes off the road? What if I get diagnosed with cancer?” As much as we may try to prevent it, the most certain thing about life is death. Unless we are going to be alive when Jesus returns, every one of us is unable to escape death. 

So, how do we prepare to die? Firstly, place our faith in Jesus Christ. Christianity is based on historical events, not philosophy. We need to believe Jesus Christ is God and came to earth in the form of a Man. He lived the perfect life that we cannot live and died on the cross to atone for our sins. He was buried and raised to life on the third day which gives us hope for life after death. 

Secondly, we are to appropriate it. What does this mean? We are to allow the purpose for which Christ died and was raised again to take effect into our life. In other words, we go before Jesus and pray, “Lord Jesus, I realize that as a human being I’m in need of You within my life. I’m not sufficient in myself. Please forgive me of the barrier and sins in my life that keeps You out. Cleanse me on the basis of Your death. And then, by Your Holy Spirit, impart to me the gift of life—the risen life of Jesus—that I become born again and made into a new person.”

After believing and appropriating it, thirdly, we are to live in the good of it. Know that every day, no matter what we face tomorrow, the risen Christ is not out there somewhere; He is in us. Anything that threatens us has to threaten Him. Although there are things that frighten us, they never frighten Him. Our strength and our security come from Christ, and we can live with that confidence.  

If we do not know this in our own personal life, there is no better day than today to give our life to Christ. For those of us who are already Christians, may we live each day with the conviction that Jesus is alive! Face every discouragement, every threat and fear, with that reassurance.  Whatever else is happening in our life, may we remember that Christ is alive, He is in us and we are secure forever!  

PRAYER

Precious Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me hope of a life after death. You are the life in me through Your Holy Spirit. I can live with confidence and security because of You.