LIVING AND DYING FOR THE LORD
Believing that the Lord Jesus Christ lived and died him, the apostle Paul said: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21; Acts 9:1-16). And “it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him (Philippians 1:29).
JESUS CHRIST LIVED AND DIED FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE:
The Bible says: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners”
(Romans 5:8). “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
PAUL WAS AN EXAMPLE OF BEING WILLING TO LIVE AND DIE FOR CHRIST:
Having been chosen by Jesus as a living example of suffering for the Lord and his believers (Acts 9:16); Paul said, “I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal life” (2 Timothy 2:10).
Paul humbly listed some of the things that the Lord helped him to endure. In comparing himself to other gospel-worker, Paul said: “ I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again..Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked…I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?… 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying” (2 Corinthians 11:23-31 NIV).
In another place the apostle tells believers to realize: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). And, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
JESUS EXPECTS BELIEVERS TO BE WILLING TO LIVE AND DIE FOR HIM:
Today, believers live in a culture that is very counter to living and dying for Christ. Unbelievers are strongly opposed to those who believe.
But Jesus tells us: “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you.
By the power of the Holy Spirit living in you can be alive to the things of Christ but dead to the sinful things of this world. You can do all things through Christ by the power of the Spirit who strengths you (Philippians 4:13).
And our Savior and Lord said: Jesus Christ said: “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11).
God’s Word tells us: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).
