LIVING AND DYING WITH CHRIST
Concerning believers in Christ, the Bible says: “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
A BELIEVER DYING WITH CHRIST
One of the criminals who hung beside Jesus when he was crucified hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43).
A BELIEVER LIVING WITH CHRIST WITHIN
Jesus Christ is the perfect example of suffering (Hebrews 2:10); however, he chose the apostle Paul be an example of suffering on his behalf for his church or body of believers (Acts 9:1-19):
Paul Commented: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
The apostle said, “Through Christ who strengthens me, I can do all things” (Philippians 4:13).
Comparing his suffering with the sufferings of others, the apostle humbly said:
“I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods …Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?” (2 Corinthians 11:23-29).
Paul concluded: To live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).
There is in store 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 also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8)
AS BELIEVERS, WE HAVE BUNDANT LIFE LIVING AND DYING WITH CHRIST
As Christ’s body of believers in whom his Spirit lives, we should follow the above examples and others he left on record for us in the Bible. For in doing this we gain abundant life through his indwelling Spirit (John 7;38-39; John 10:10)
