TREASURES IN THE ATTIC

            Recently, in Defiance, Ohio, a man uncovered an enormous treasure in his grandfather’s attic. At first, many people would not have seen the value in his find. Those who have the eyes to see recognized it right away. What the man found was an extremely rare collection of 100 year old baseball cards. The cards were issued in 1910 and are preserved in pristine condition. Experts estimate that the complete collection is worth $3,000,000. Not a bad return for cleaning out the attic.

            This story caught my attention because I have been a baseball card collector in the past. In fact, I still have a cabinet in my house that is filled with thousands of baseball cards. Some are from my childhood and some are from a more recent foray into the arena of collecting. I’m sure that my whole collection could be worth, at least, $100. But I could be wrong!

            This story got me thinking about all of the unrecognized treasures we have in our “attic.” In Ephesians 1:3 Paul writes, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. He tells us that God has lavishly blessed us with all kinds of spiritual treasures. The problem is that we often overlook them or undervalue them.

            Our family is going through a time of transition. This has caused me to begin to re-evaluate some things that I have taken for granted. For the past 26 years our home has been blessed with the presence of children, and all of the activity and vitality that they bring with them. In a very short time our home will become very quiet, as our youngest child heads off to college. We have been blessed with a beautiful home, situated on about three acres of land, and surrounded by trees. I have mowed the lawn numerous times, trimmed countless bushes, and cut down a number of dead trees to use for fire wood.  Just the other day, I was struck by what an awesome gift my home really is. I have had the privilege of serving the same church for the past 25 years. Daily coming to my office to study and weekly standing in the pulpit have become a comfortable routine for me. I have developed a significant number of relationships, which have enriched my life. All of these are a treasure that I often take for granted. These are only examples of the many treasures in my attic.

            There are treasures of far greater value than the ones I have already mentioned. These are spiritual treasures that, unlike my temporal treasures, will never pass away. I have been given the treasure of prayer; the privilege of talking directly to God, without fear of rejection. I often undervalue prayer. It can become just a routine activity that I check off of my to-do list. But prayer is a treasure. Paul invites me to take full advantage of this gift.

            Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)

            I have the treasure of new life in Christ. I have been redeemed, forgiven and restored. I do not have to fear the future or what it might hold. I belong to the King of Kings. My life is secure in him. Not only that, but I am being recreated in his image. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, I am becoming more and more of the person God created me to be.

            Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NIV)

            But the greatest treasure of all is having a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. He is not some distant, demanding God, who forces me to do his will. Jesus is my loving Savior and Lord, who cares about every detail of my life. Paul reminds me that there is no greater treasure than knowing Christ.

            But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:7-11 (NIV)

            There is a TV show called Antiques Road Show. On this program, people bring things that they have found tucked away in a closet or in the attic of their house, and have them appraised by experts. Sometimes, what they have is of little value. Sometimes, they discover that they have something of great value. When that happens, most people are genuinely surprised.

            God has filled our lives with abundant treasures. Too many of them remain unappreciated in our spiritual attic. From time to time, God does something in our life that makes us take a second look at what is in our attic. Often, when we do that, we discover treasures of great value. What treasures have you overlooked or undervalued in your life? 

TRAIL OR TREADMILL

            I recently gave in and purchased a used treadmill. I have contended in the past that I prefer to run outside. I still do, but circumstances have prevailed upon me to reconsider my stance on the treadmill. I was made aware that, even though I prefer to run outside, I am often prohibited from doing it, due to weather and darkness. A treadmill allows me to run whenever I have the time, regardless of the weather or the time of day.

            I will confess that I have taken to the treadmill; not as a substitute for running outside, but as an alternative. The treadmill offers me several advantages that I am not afforded when I am on the trail. I can set the pace at which I run. I can adjust the incline, in order to increase the challenge. I can monitor my heart rate. And I can watch TV as I run. Something that is rather difficult when one is running on the trail.

            For all of the benefits that I have gained with my treadmill, I have noticed some significant drawbacks. Up to this point I have not been able to run as far on the treadmill as I do on the trail. My usual outdoor run is four miles. My usual treadmill run is only two miles. Also I am not able to easily vary my pace on the treadmill. I set the pace at the beginning of my run and the machine dutifully keeps me running at that pace. When I am running outside, I vary my pace throughout the run. Normally, I am slightly slower on my first mile. On miles two and three I settle into a slightly faster pace. When I hit the three miles mark, I push a little more to the end on my run. On the treadmill, I am in a controlled environment. The temperature is constant and I don’t have to deal with any environmental issues. When I am on the trial my environment is constantly changing. I may be running in the hot sun or a light rain. I often have to contend with the wind, which can be very strong at times. And there are always bugs of some sort to contend with.

            As I was running on the trail the other day, I thought about how my Christian life is similar to my experience with the trail and the treadmill. When I settle into a comfortable routine, I feel like I am on a treadmill. My days all look pretty much the same. I do the same things over and over again, without much change of pace. When I am actively engaged in serving Christ, I feel like I am running on the trail. When I step out of my comfortable routine, I am confronted with a constantly changing environment. I feel the heat of opposition. I feel the rain of discouragement. I face the irritations of unexpected obstacles in my way. The temptation is to get back on the treadmill as quickly as possible. But, here is the most important point of this analogy. When I am on the treadmill, I am not really going anywhere. I am marking time, covering the same small space over and over. When I am on the trail, I am actually moving forward. I am covering new and different ground with each step.

            I believe the Pharisees were running on the spiritual treadmill, and that is why Jesus had such harsh words for them. They were wrapped up in keeping the Law and maintaining the status quo. They were not really moving forward spiritually. They were just marking time. They demonstrated all of the outward signs of being religious, but they were not moving closer to God.

            When Jesus called his first disciples, he invited them out onto the trail. His invitation was simple: follow me. In Matthew 4, Jesus called Peter and Andrew to leave their treadmill life and experience something completely new.

            As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)

            Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, He was constantly on the trail. He refused to settle into a comfortable, treadmill life. He intentionally challenged the status quo, engaged with common people, and kept moving forward.

            I am feeling like I have been running on the treadmill lately. At a conference I attended recently, I was challenged to break away for my comfortable norm and discover the trail again. I am looking for that trail, where Christ is calling me to follow Him.

            Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

TOO MUCH HEAVEN?

            This past Sunday our youth took over the morning worship services. They did an excellent job of sharing their experiences on a recent mission trip. There was genuineness in their presentation that was compelling. A comment that several of the youth made grabbed my attention. It was an innocent comment and meant to be encouraging, but it caught me off guard. The comment was that they shared the gospel with the children so that one day they could be with Jesus in heaven. Their desire to share the Gospel is exciting. The eventual goal of being with Christ for eternity is right and appealing. But, I found myself wondering if we put too much emphasis on being with Jesus some day in heaven to the detriment of our being with Christ in the present.

            Often our evangelism is focused on getting a person to make a decision for Christ, by offering them the hope of eternity. We put great emphasis on the point in time when a person steps over the line of faith. I fully agree that calling people to make a definite commitment to Christ is essential. It is also essential that we teach people how to walk with Christ in the present.

            The danger that is inherent in putting all of our emphasis on making a decision so that we can go to Heaven is that we make salvation fire insurance from Hell. Salvation becomes a future reality without a present impact. Many people have “prayed the prayer” and then gone on to live less than Christ-centered lives, because they believe that they are going to Heaven some day. Salvation is definitely about Heaven and eternity, but our encounter with eternity needs to begin now.

            When Jesus issued the Great Commission, he established the pattern for true discipleship. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

            Jesus commissioned us to make disciples of all nations. He defined what that would look like in the second clause; baptize them and teach them. Baptism relates to that initial commitment to follow Christ. We could say that, in this context, it equates with making a decision for Christ. Baptism is a profound act of publically indentifying with Jesus. In some cultures, even today, baptism becomes the defining moment in a person’s life. It signifies a break with the old and a conscious choice to embrace a new life in Christ. This is often accompanied with dramatic and drastic changes in the person’s life, which may include separation from family and friends.

            Baptism is to be followed with active discipleship. Jesus defined this as “teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.” This is to be the outcome of making a decision for Christ. There is no place for passive discipleship; just marking time until we get to go to Heaven. The true follower of Christ has the responsibility to learn and act. We are to learn as much as we can about Christ and what He teaches. Then we are to act on Jesus’ teaching. Jesus says to obey what he commands.

            Throughout the New Testament, the emphasis is placed on living out our faith in the present. Living with Christ in Heaven is the culmination of living for Christ on earth. The Apostle Paul was constantly calling us to demonstrate an active faith.

            As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)

            Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)

            Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

                Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9 (NIV)

            As we share the Gospel, it is important to emphasize that eternity does hang in the balance. We can, and should, look forward to living in Christ’s presence in Heaven. But we should also emphasize that life with Christ begins now. Jesus’ invitation is still the same, “Come follow me.” 

THE AWE OF WORSHIP

            I do it all of the time. Maybe you do it too. I misuse the word awesome. Someone tells me about some minor accomplishment and I respond, “That’s awesome.” An athlete makes an outstanding play on the field and I respond with, “Awesome!” In many ways, we have lost the true sense of awe. We use the word awesome for so many things that it has become meaningless. We are exposed to so many stimulating experiences that we fail to be moved anymore. We have lost the feeling of wonder that stops us in our tracks and overwhelms us.

            The Microsoft Encarta College Dictionary defines awe as “a mixture of wonder and dread.” It goes on to expand that definition in this way. “A feeling of amazement and respect mixed with fear that is often coupled with a feeling of personal insignificance or powerlessness.” Most of the times we use the term awesome today don’t even come close to this definition.

            Sadly, one of the places where we have lost a true sense of awe is in worship. Much of our worship is far more entertainment than standing in awe of God. We focus on pleasing the people in the seats; making it a comfortable experience. There is very little in the way of true awe and wonder. I confess that I am guilty at times of being more concerned about how people will respond to the service than if they truly encounter God.

            After Communism collapsed in Ukraine, people began to flock back to the church. They didn’t come to be entertained or comfortable; they came to encounter God. In the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, there are no seats. When people come in for worship, they stand. No one even thinks about making the environment more comfortable for the congregation. The services are long, the worship space is cramped and crowded, and often it is hot and stuffy. Few people complain. They are not there to be comfortable. They are there to stand in awe of God.

            I am not suggesting that we get rid of all the seats in our churches or make them as uncomfortable as possible. I am suggesting that we have put our emphasis in the wrong place. We have shifted our focus away from the awe of standing in God’s presence and placed it on our personal experience.

            Throughout the Old Testament we see many examples of God’s people standing in awe of Him. One good example is when the people of Israel encounter God at the foot of Mt. Sinai. God led the people Mt. Sinai to receive the Law. In Exodus 19-20 we read about their encounter with God. It is an excellent example of genuine awe.

            On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Exodus 19:16-17 (NIV)

            When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20:18-21 (NIV)

            I am not sure what we would do today if God revealed Himself in a similar way in our church services. I’m sure that we would experience the fear of the Lord in all its fullness. Some people would run away. Some would faint dead away. If we stayed put, we would all fall on our faces before God. That is true awe.

            We have lost our understanding of what it means to fear the Lord. The fear of the Lord does not mean to be afraid of God, in the same way that pagans are afraid. Their fear keeps God at a distance. They want to appease God so that He will leave them alone. For the true believer, there is no place for that kind of fear. In over 70 passages of scripture, we are given the command, “Do not be afraid.”  

            Genuine fear of the Lord is wrapped up in the word awe; wonder mixed with dread. We are to acknowledge God’s authority, power and majesty. We should never presume upon God or treat Him as our “best buddy.” We have no right to even come into His presence, but we are invited to come. When we encounter God we are struck by His overwhelming beauty, holiness, and splendor. We are breathless in His presence. We can bring nothing to the table. We have nothing to offer God, except our genuine gratitude, admiration and worship.

            The Grand Canyon is a good example of genuine awe. It is both beautiful and dangerous. It is overwhelming and inviting. It is accessible and inaccessible at the same time. Few people take the Grand Canyon lightly. If they do, they do it at their own peril. Most people give the Canyon the respect it deserves.

            On an infinitely highly plain, our worship of God should reflect that kind of awe and wonder. God is both beautiful and dangerous. He is approachable yet overwhelming. We can encounter Him, but we will never fully understand Him. We owe God our amazed wonder and our humble respect.

Transformed by Christ’s Love

            TRANSFORM, vb: To change in composition or structure, to change the outward form or appearance of, to change in character or condition.

            Dallas Willard, in his book Renovation of the Heart, masterfully makes the case that to be a follower of Jesus is to be transformed from the inside out. My heart resonates with what he is saying. I desire to be transformed by the love of Christ. Not only that but I desire to see others transformed as well. This is at the very heart of the Gospel. But I must confess that I am a little discouraged. The majority of what I am reading paints a less than rosy picture of the Church. Instead of seeing lives transformed in significant ways, we see all of the problems of the world resident in the church. How do we turn this around? What does it mean to be people whose lives are transformed?

            God has been challenging me with several thoughts about living a transformed life. I offer them to you not as the end of the conversation but as the beginning of a dialogue.

            First, true transformation is an act of God and not the product of our efforts. I have always been one who wanted to do it myself. I have struggled with the false idea that I had to somehow change myself so that I would be acceptable to God. The bad news is that I will never make it. The good news is that I don’t have to. God, by His grace and mercy, has done all that needs to be done for me to be transformed.

            In Romans 12:2 Paul tells us to stop trying to measure up to external standards. Instead he tells us to yield to the transforming power of God from the inside.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

            So how do we put ourselves in the place where this transformation can happen? Paul gives us the answer in Philippians 4:8-9. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

            Paul tells us that there are two things we can do to access the transforming power of God’s grace. We can fill our minds with the right things and we can fill our lives with the right actions. As we meditate on the right things our whole way of thinking is changed. As we consciously act on what we are learning the way we live is changed.

            The second thought I have about transformation is that it takes place in community not isolation. Americans have been trained to think and live independently. We are “rugged individualists.” This kind of thinking is foreign to scripture and hinders us from experiencing the transforming power of God. The Gospel is an invitation into a community of faith. Colossians 3:15-16 helps us see that being a part of a community is at the heart of our spiritual transformation.

            Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

            Genuine transformation takes place through relationships. We enter into the life-giving relationship with God through Jesus Christ. That relationship empowers us to develop new relationships with others. God uses the community of faith to be the agent of transformation.

            The third thought I have is that genuine transformation means submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In Romans 12:1 Paul calls us to give our all for Christ.

            Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

            If we are going to experience the transforming power of the Gospel, we must yield completely to Christ. Jesus said we are to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

            The last thought I have is that transformation is a process and not a product. Although I firmly believe there is a point in time when we cross from death to life through faith in Jesus, that is not the end of the story. We are always in process spiritually. The transforming work of Christ is a long term commitment on his part to restore the image of God in us. Paul clearly states this in 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.

            Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

            Many people are staying away from the Church today because they do not see the transforming power of the Gospel in the lives of Christians. We can change that if we are willing to humble ourselves before God and let him do his work in us. We are the light of the world. It is time to shine.

A LIFE OF INTEGRITY

            I am back from a week of vacation. We traveled to the North Shore of Lake Superior in northern Minnesota. It was glorious. We had to return a little early because I had to officiate at a funeral. The funeral was for a 93 year old man. I was with him and his family when he died.

            Al was one of the “Greatest Generation” of Americans. He grew up during the Great Depression. Like many others, he had to struggle to find a job and just to make ends meet. Then WWII broke out. He answered the call and enlisted in the Navy. He served in the South Pacific. Returning home after the war he started a family, farmed and eventually operated a small town bank. He retired in our community and became a part of our church.

            At the funeral several people reflected upon Al’s life. There was a recurring theme that popped up in each of the reflections: integrity. Al was a soft spoken man. He was disciplined and conscientious. But the thing that stood out was his integrity. He was guided by principle and not popular opinion.

            No one lives a perfect, sinless life. We all make mistakes and even fail along the way. But we all can live lives of integrity. In Ephesians 4:1-3, the Apostle Paul challenges us to live up to our calling in Christ. As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

            True integrity is not a façade we create for others to see but the core of who we are. Integrity begins on the inside and works its way out. It begins with a deep conviction to live according to God’s standards.

            A person of integrity is not perfect, nor do they always get things right. They are willing to own up to their mistakes, make amends if necessary and learn from them. They are unwilling to hide their mistakes or push them off onto someone else. Instead they acknowledge their failures and seek to grow through them.

            A person of integrity is generally consistent in their attitudes and actions, not being swayed by public opinion or pressure. So much of life today is controlled by the latest opinion poll or the loudest voice in the media. A person of integrity has developed the ability to discern truth from error and to choose the truth. Having a firm handle on the truth sets a person free from the ever changing winds of society. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 (NIV)

            A person of integrity understands who they are. They know both their strengths and their weaknesses. They are comfortable with their gifts and talents and feel no need to flaunt them or call undue attention to them. Paul urges us to gain a proper understanding of ourselves in Romans 12:3. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

            A person of integrity is not consumed with their image. In many ways they are self-forgetting, not needing or wanting to have the spotlight focused on them.

            A person of integrity is in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. They do not presume to have made it. They do not assume that they are better than others. They focus on knowing and serving Christ. Paul modeled that for us. I leave you with his words of challenge and encouragement.

            But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.  I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:7-14 (NIV)

THE FINAL ENEMY

            Today I stood with his family as he took his final breaths. Each breath more shallow, more labored, farther apart. Then they stopped and it was over. I will never get used to it; death. Over the years I have done this a number of times. I wish that it was getting easier, but it isn’t. There is no way around the fact that death is the enemy; we fight against its ugly grip for as long as we can.

            Death is the direct result of sin in our world. God didn’t design us for death; he designed us for life. When sin entered the world, death took up residence. It has been reigning ever since. It comes in many forms; emotional death, spiritual death, relationship death, physical death. When it comes, it brings heartache, pain and sorrow.

            Death is our final enemy. It parades through our world with arrogance, bravado and total disregard. It acts as if it is the master. It acts as if it is unstoppable, but it is wrong. Death is a defeated enemy.

            When Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose to new life, he conquered death. Even though we must still face physical death, Jesus has taken away its power. We no longer have to fear death because, in Christ, we have hope.

            It is natural for us to fear death. Death seems like the final statement of our life. But in Christ, death is only the birthing canal to new life in Him. The Apostle Paul wrote words of encouragement to give us the courage to face death unafraid.

            I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (NIV)

            Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV)

            In both of these passages, Paul puts a different face on death. Death is the passageway from mortality to immortality, from perishable to imperishable. Death becomes our metamorphosis experience; shedding the frail form of our physical body for a resurrection body.

            Death has been defeated by what Christ did on the cross for us. He cancelled the power of sin and death and set us free. We have the ultimate victory.

            We can face death with hope for the future. One day we will be gathered with those who have gone before us and we will stand together with Christ forever. For the believer in Christ, death is not the end of the story, but only the end of a chapter. A new and more glorious chapter is ahead. As C.S. Lewis put it, we leave the shadow lands of this world to enter the vibrant world of eternity.

            When Jesus faced the death of a close friend, he mourned over the pain that his friends were experiencing. In the midst of the pain, he issued a promise for all that will fully trust him.

            Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26 (NIV)

            We stood around the bed and watched as he slipped from this life to the next. We shed tears of grief. We also celebrated the promise of Jesus, for although his physical body died, he has won the ultimate victory in Christ. “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” We believe it!