16
Jul '25
Living Now and Dying Later in Jesus
16
Jul '25
Introduction: Is Jesus Christ the best thing that has ever happened to you? Honestly, when life comes down to its end, the only thing that really matters is JESUS! These verses speak volumes straight to our heart. Will you take a minute and evaluate where you are with your relationship with Jesus? After all, He’s the best thing that can ever happen to you.
Check this out to see if you are searching for SECURITY or IDENTITY in anything else:
1. Jesus Christ is our IDENTITY for LIVING! (Rom 14:8) – “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”
Paul is writing this letter, under inspiration, to this particular Church while discussing both doctrinal and practical issues. In the first eleven chapters, Bible doctrine stands out: i.e. condemnation, justification, sanctification, and election. But in the last five chapters, practical truth is discussed. Living abundantly in the Christian life is the goal of every believer. That includes with other CHRISTians. More importantly, as this chapter references, as believers, that we do not become stumbling blocks. Apparently there were some stronger CHRISTians doing things—nothing that was grossly sinning—but nonetheless, it was causing other believers to trip or stumble. Therefore, they were instructed not to do it. By the way, can you say with a clear conscience that you are not a stumbling block? Your testimony? What others (your children) see and hear?
2. Jesus Christ is our SECURITY for DYING! (Rom 14:8) – “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”
Eventually every person is going to die, unless Jesus Christ comes again. By the way, the Judgment Seat of Christ is mentioned in this context of Scripture. “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” (Rom 14:10)
Remember, how we live today will determine how we stand before Jesus perhaps tomorrow. Are you ready?
Conclusion: There we have it. Both in this life and in the life to come, it’s all about JESUS. Is He your SECURITY for the Judgment Seat? Is He your IDENTITY for this life? This is what really matters!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese