“I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is better for you that I remain in the body.” (Phil. 1:23-24)

Christians, do you long for your heavenly dwelling?  Do you inwardly groan, longing to see His face and be permanently clothed with Christ in your eternal life in the spirit? (2 Cor. 5: 2-4)  Read this passage from the Apostle Paul and pay close attention as to what he desires, as well as what he vows to commit his remaining time during his life in the body to… (Phil. 1:21-26)  So Christians, do you share in Paul’s faith regarding your desire to be united with Jesus, as well as having a biblical worldview regarding what you will do with the remaining years that you may be given during your life in the flesh?  Paul constantly appealed for those in the church to imitate him as our “father in the Gospel”. (1 Cor. 4:14-16)  Now if this type of perspective is to be our goal, regarding our life in the body, how many Christians today can honestly say that they share in the Apostle Paul’s faith as it applies here?  Now to be clear, I don’t ask this in a manner as to “judge” where someone else is in their walk, rather I ask this intentionally intending for you to consider what it is exactly that you really “believe”. 

God’s Word is foolish to those who do not believe. (1 Cor. 1:21)  So, what does it mean when we reach the place where God’s Word is even foolish to those who do “believe”?  Well, it means you better get prepared, you better get ready because His return is soon coming!  Upon hearing His Word, agreeing, and accepting His Word, and understanding His Truth, the “believer” is said to be reconciled to God and one who patiently awaits His return.  This is belief!  But, a failure to understand the biblical expression as to what “believing” means, has resulted in the church labeling many false believers as “Christians”.  Now that being a “believer” no longer means that you hear, understand, accept, trust, and agree with the Word of God in its entirety, “believers” today are those who simply believe in the existence of God while many remain ignorant of His Truth and cannot relate to the “groaning” and “longing for Home” that His Spirit brings!   

Understand that for those who simply believe “in” God, rather than believe God, much of His Word is extremely foolish to them.  Therefore, the “woke” Christian today does not concern themselves with holding to the commands of God, nor do they believe that His Word is meant to be taken literally.  God’s Spirit, the power of His Spirit, true freedom from the bondage of sin, the complete transformation, and certainly, this “groaning and longing” for their heavenly dwelling… all concepts that are foreign to today’s Christian and expressions that they do not really believe to be true realities. (2 Tim. 3:1-5)  Since the church now boils salvation down to a belief that is contrary to His Word (simply believing that God and His Son, Jesus, do indeed exist, and They are who They say They are — easy-believism), much of God’s Word cannot be referenced or mentioned in your typical church service (particularly regarding the cost at which we are truly reconciled to God) because it would be considered complete foolishness to many Christians in this generation! 

Without the Lord’s Spirit, one cannot “inwardly groan” and “long to be clothed with their heavenly dwelling”.  It would be completely impossible and extremely foolish to insinuate that someone could or would.  Patiently awaiting the Lord’s coming, a concept simply foolish to those without His Spirit!  However, with His Spirit, you cannot avoid it! (John 3:5-8)  For those who claim to “believe”, do you honestly think that if the Spirit of the Almighty Creator is living inside you that He would not long for Home?  Or, do you ignorantly claim that God’s Spirit would prefer to dwell in the land where Satan rules as “prince”? (John 14:30-31)  I know, all of this is complete foolishness to most of our “believers” today!  The reality is, with the church now delivering a false teaching, Christians remain ignorant of God and are growing completely unfamiliar with Christ’s Spirit; meaning, the vast majority of believers are lost (DO NOT LIVE WITH HIS SPIRIT) and are barreling down a wide path to hell!  Christians who buy the lie are still living in the realm of the flesh, loving the things of this world, living for themselves, and putting many things in this life before God in their hearts, all while they praise Jesus out their mouths! (Isaiah 29:13, Matt. 15:8-9)  

So, how is that guy/gal going to “desire to depart and be with Christ?”  He doesn’t!  In fact, he will ruin other’s lives to prevent it!  That is not faith, not faith in the One true Gospel of Christ Jesus anyway!  That is not biblically descriptive of those who believe God, trust in His promise of a better life, and sincerely long for that union.  What does it say about your faith if the life that you truly desire is the life that you now live, over the life that we are supposed to be patiently waiting for?  Because destroying others’ lives to prevent the very union that your profession claims that you sincerely desire to have demonstrates a lack of faith rather than demonstrating the definition of a saving faith!  Yet, here we are, shutting down our economy (millions of folks livelihoods), closing schools, closing churches, and taking athletics away from those who love to compete in their favorite sport, all so that we may not die.  Again, I understand the non-believer placing everything on this life; but as I said, my point is the position that even our “believers” take today regarding this issue.  The bottom line is, if fear of death prevents you from living life, you will likely miss out on that which can set you free.  

To be clear, a person living with Christ’s Spirit is not thrilled at the thought of the actual pain, suffering, and the loss (bereavement from those who love you) that will come from their death.  It is simply that they have agreed, and desire, to spend their remaining time that they may have in the body getting prepared for His coming!  This is the only way that true freedom from the worries and cares of this world is obtained!  Moreover, the child of God lives with the understanding that this life they now live is no longer their own, it was bought at a price. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)  Therefore, they now live their lives to glorify God and serve His will as they wait for His return. (1 Cor. 5:15, Rom 12:1-2)  Your remaining life in the body from the time of your new creation (from the time you received His Spirit), is simply borrowed time.  Post transformation, living with Christ’s Spirit, your mission is to glorify God and demonstrate that you wait for a better life, that you long for that permanent dwelling.  That is the opposite of teaching others to live for this life, and to “live” in fear of death!  “But wisdom is proved right by her deeds” (Matt. 11:19b), and it is the wisdom of this world, not the wisdom of God, that we are basing our decisions on regarding how we approach this virus.

While no one can claim to have “perfect” faith, what we fear says a lot about what we really believe!  And our reaction to this virus demonstrates the lack of faith of our “Christian” nation, as well as the lack of faith across the world.  It is one thing for those who do not claim allegiance to Christ to live in fear of death, but it speaks volumes when the subjects within the church live with the same fear as that of the “non-believer”.  God’s people are supposed to represent those who do not live in fear, even fear of death.  God’s people are supposed to be an example as to the courage and trust that living with a hope for a better place can bring to those in need of encouragement in dealing with their pain and suffering.  But doing everything imaginable to prevent that very union that you claim that you desire to have, simply makes no sense.  In fact, that is the epitome of hypocrisy!  The truth is, many Christians today still live for this life and not the next, their heart remains focused on the things below and not the things above. (Col. 3:1-4)  As a result, many “Christians” are those who join in and support destroying millions of innocent people’s lives simply because they live in fear of reaching their ultimate destiny, the one that the “Christian” is supposed to long for!  This is not faith, trust, and hope, nor does this worldly wisdom demonstrate an understanding of the Truth, that is, “belief in Jesus”!   

Taking the joys of living this life away from everyone because someone else thinks that “living” in fear of death is best for all, isn’t effectively “loving your neighbor”.  Please hear me, I do not mean to sound insensitive to those who have lost their lives due to this virus and I do not mean to belittle the grieving of their loved ones.  My point is just that, as Christians, our approach to death is supposed to reflect the genuineness of our faith. (1 Thess. 4:13-14)  Our command to love our neighbor wasn’t based on the concerns of the things of this world, including our own life in the body.  The goal behind the biblical expression of “love for your neighbor” is equality! (2 Cor. 8:13-15)  The goal of the command is to regard others above yourself all in an effort to improve the quality of the lives of others, those who are in need, those oppressed!  Regarding others above yourself exudes humility; it involves striving for equality and justice for all!  Therefore, our attempt to “love our neighbor” shouldn’t cause harm, death, and destruction to our “other neighbors”.  If it does, then you are doing it wrong!  Ruining others’ lives due to your fear of death exudes arrogance; it involves envy and selfish ambition!  This is the difference between living for God and living for yourself! 

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)  This is not love: ruining others’ lives so that you may not die!  Being obedient to death is the very way that God showed His love for us! (Rom. 5:8)  An act of “love” is to sacrifice your life so that others may have life.  But love is not: taking the joy of living life away from everyone in an effort to prevent the very thing that we are all destined for.  Of this the proverb is true: “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end leads to death.” (Prov. 14:12)  Our reaction to this virus reveals a false love driven by the fear of death, and our response will cost far more innocent lives than that which this virus can ever directly take!  “Fear of death” is supposed to be what Christ freed us from slavery to! (Heb. 2:14-15)  As a “believer”, to live in fear of death is to deny the power of God!  So, Christians, “do you now believe?” (John 16:31)

The truth is, the Truth is no longer being preached!  Therefore, rather than Christians representing the faith of Abraham (live for God and do exactly what He says!), they rather demonstrate a people that have a love for this life and the things of this world. (Matt. 16:23)  Christians, the world is watching, and your hypocrisy (lack of faith) profanes His Holy Name! (Ez. 36:21)  God jealously longs for our hearts! (Deut. 4:24, Ex. 34:14)  Holding onto the concerns of “self” isn’t a demonstration of giving Him all your heart!  Today’s Christian is quick to reference the scriptures that reflect the truth that we are not to live in fear, but Christians seem blind to the fact that living that reality is only possible by living with the one fear that makes “not living in fear” possible… a fear of the Lord!  As the saying goes: when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else!  Does our reaction to this virus look like we are a nation of Christians who do not live in fear?  

Love for this life, love for the world, or anything in it, is simply considered adultery to the Lord! (Jer. 3:6-10)  Foolishness, yes?  Which life is your heart set on, this one? Or the next? (Is. 65:17-25)  I know, this is foolishness to most!  The question is, is His Word foolishness to you?  Because your eternal fate depends upon whether or not it is!  Do you long for His coming?  Are you prepared?  Fear the Lord!

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