Week 8: Return

Death and Return

So much of our study up to this point has focused on the concept of being with Christ. We are united with Christ. We have seen how Christ joins with us in his incarnation, and we join with him in his ministry. We have seen how we are called to die with Christ through our own crucifixion. We've also seen how in baptism, we are buried with Christ only also to be raised with Christ into his resurrection. Last week we saw how the Spirit seats us with Christ in the heavenly places. So our life as we know it is tied to Christ as revealed in his gospel. A Gospel formed life is a life with Christ.

When we have this concept in mind, it changes how we read and understand our physical death and eternal reality. In the passage for today's reading, you will see that we are again with Christ in our own physical death. In fact, Paul in Romans specifically points out that death cannot "separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus."

Death is scary. I've sat with many people in their final days when death was at their door. I’ve held their hands and prayed with them, only to see them pass shortly after. I've seen faithful Christians both respond to this time before death with courage and with fear. The New Testament teaches boldly that there are only two ways out of this world. First, we can die (sleep in Christ.) Second, we can be called to join Christ in his return before we have died. In either case, we are still with Christ.

As you read through today's passage, focus on what Paul is trying to teach about our union with Christ in our death and his return.

How is this different from how you have usually thought about eternal life?

How is this different from what you usually thought about your death?

Should Christians think about their own death?