ROOTED - Thursday, July 10, 2025

Philippians 1:23
23 I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.. 

Reflection: Question #32

Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro

Question: What benefits do believers receive from Christ at their death?

Answer: The souls of believers at their death pass into glory, and their bodies rest in their graves, till the resurrection. 

I am compelled by Paul, and the way he writes to the Philippian church about his desire to be with Jesus. He says so here, “I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better…” (Philippians 1:23).  In verse 21, however, he says, “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” This has got to be in my “top five Bible verse” category. 

I love Disney World. We hope to return on a vacation in 2026, as we have not been with the family since before COVID. I would not say that “for me to live is Disney…” (or said another way, “the goal and joy of my life is Disney”), but I would say it is REALLY something I love. The fact is, when I die there will be no Disney World. If there were a Disney World in heaven, then I might say “For me to live is Disney and therefore to die is gain.” That is, if my life is Disney, then if Disney is in the afterlife, it is obviously a gain and benefit for me to die. That is exactly what Paul is saying!!!! “Since my life is all about Christ, death is good because I will get, in full measure, what I am living for.” Frankly, I want to live for Christ in this way. I want my life to be so wrapped up in Christ that I look forward to enjoying him forever. I do not want to dread death as if I am losing. I want to look forward to death in the sense that I will be gaining Christ, forever! Will that not be a glorious day? Sadly, many people are not living for Christ. They live for themselves, for their house, for their money, for their careers in such a way that when they die it will be a total loss. I propose that the only way (I emphasize ONLY) death is a positive event, is if you live for Christ! Any other death is loss.

Prayer 

Lord, help us to love for you such that we do not dread death. Remind us of the eternal glory in store for us when we at last breath our last breath.