SATURDAY October 29, 2022
The Hope of the Resurrection
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His [Christ’s] death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection....
Romans 6:5
We do not have to be afraid of death. In fact, I welcome death because I know where I am going––heaven. Seriously, I am not being morbid. I welcome death because I am excited. I know what is going to happen when I take my last breath. I will be in heaven, glorified and conversing with the apostles Paul and Peter. If you hear that I have died, do not believe it; I have just made a transfer!
In fact, if I get deathly sick, do not pray for my healing––pray for the Lord’s will. I want to go home to be with the Lord in joy and peace. “When I die,” I told my wife Sharon, “have a big party.” There should be no crying, but celebrating. Even through my death, we both want the same thing––for nonbelievers to get saved!
In this life, we need to pass on to people our hope in the Resurrection. We know our bodies will get old. It is just like an old tent that is ready to collapse. Be glad when you get old, when you get wrinkles and grey hair. It really does not matter, because the inward man is being renewed:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Do not lose heart as you grow older; know that you are becoming younger and younger in Jesus Christ. That is the hope we have in Christ.
When granted many years of life, growing old in age is natural, but growing old with grace is a choice. Growing older with grace is possible for all who will set their hearts and minds on the Giver of grace, the Lord Jesus Christ.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
