To Die Is Gain

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. —Rev. 14:13

On January 9, 2005 Dr. Jack Arnold was preaching at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Oveido, Florida. His sermon text was his life verse—“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

As he was nearing the conclusion of his sermon he quoted Charles Wesley, saying, “Until my work on this earth is done, I am immortal.” He continued preaching, “But when my work for Christ is done, I am outta here! I go to be with Jesus… And when I go to heaven…” He paused mid-sentence, looked up briefly and fell to the floor while grabbing the pulpit. Those were his final words. He died on the spot from a massive cardiac arrest and was immediately transported into the presence of Christ! I can imagine Brother Jack saying upon his arrival in heaven, “Wow! Was that cool, or what!?”

Have you ever wondered what you’ll be doing when you die? Or, even more important than that: How will your entrance into heaven be? Will you enter the presence of your Savior with joy, or will you stand ashamed (1 John 2:28)? For your death to be gain, you must live for Christ. Live your life so when you die you won’t blush when you enter into God’s presence.