2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

June 1st, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Death is a subject most people try to avoid, but the Apostle Paul did not have any trouble with it whatsoever. In fact, he states here that he was actually looking forward to the prospect. Not preoccupied with it in a morbid, depressing way, but truly excited about it because it meant being in the presence of God. Paul is clear that when we leave our bodies, we are present with God, a fact Jesus attested to as well.

To the thief on the cross, Jesus spoke plainly that he would immediately be in Paradise with Him. The thief said to Jesus, “‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise'” (Luke 23:42, italics added). In the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, Jesus spoke of Lazarus being immediately in Paradise, alive and active. “So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 16:22). Abraham himself was alive and speaking in this parable, having been in Paradise since his own bodily death.

The Sadducees did not believe in life after death at all, and Jesus forcefully corrected their error, saying that God “is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken” (Mark 12:27). God is the God of the living in two places: on planet earth to those who have been born again (alive in Him) and in Paradise to those who have died in faith and are now living in the presence of God in great joy. We who have given our lives to God, enjoy eternal life both now and into eternity. But we are surrounded today by people who have not yet received God’s free gift. They are still afraid of and avoiding the subject of death. We can share the good news with them, that because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, death has lost its sting (1 Cor. 15:55).

“LORD, give us boldness, sensitivity, power, and grace to share Your life with others today.”