Facing Death

We must all face death of our flesh. And just like us, Paul an apostle of Christ was facing execution because of his faith in Jesus Christ. He wrote 2 Timothy while he was awaiting execution. This is what he says:

"... the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

Paul knows Jesus Christ has "destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (2 Timothy 1:10) Therefore, Paul is able to face death with strength and unwavering faith.

He says, "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever." (2 Timothy 4:18)

This letter was written while Paul was in jail, persecuted for his faith, awaiting his beheading. Because of his strong faith through the grace of God, he is at peace, and is able to stare death of his flesh into the eyes, knowing that eternal life awaits. He has "fought the good fight."

So often do I lose sight of death, yet when I admit my flesh will someday perish, I am able to focus on more meaningful things in my life. I must rely on God's grace.

Paul, facing martyrdom, accepts death gracefully because he knows what awaits him. Have we admitted our mortality to ourselves? It is a humbling experience knowing how fragile our flesh is and how powerless we truly are. Yet, we are offered eternal life, not because of our righteousness but out of God's mercy for us. All we have to do is choose, to have faith, and open the door to God.

Focus our mind

"... set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-2)

There is flesh- a physical body, a mind- our soul/personality, and a spirit. The mind is a tunnel that links the physical to the spiritual. The mind is a gate and has the will to shut the gate on the spiritual. I struggle with focusing too much on the physical world- money, items, television and the list goes on. As I focus and become addicted emotionally to the physical world, I close the gate on the the spiritual world where God is.

When I open the gate to the spiritual, my life becomes free not controlled by man and the physical world. The spirit inside of me becomes strong and rejoices in the Lord.

Death will come upon us all, but if we believe in God, with our faith in Christ, only our flesh passes and our spirit is eternal. How fragile is life and any moment our breath could be our last. How important for us who are dead to become alive right now.