Marie’s daily verse: 

 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions (1 John 3:18).

DAILY DEVOTION, February 27, 2024

 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; ²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body (Philippians 1:22-24).

People sometimes wonder, what happens to us if we die before the day of resurrection when Jesus returns?  Do we sleep until judgment day? Paul gives us the answer in our verses. He is reflecting on two possibilities. He will either continue to live in the body and serve the church, or he will die and enter into Christ’s presence. The latter he regarded as the best option for him. He suggests there is an intermediate state if we die before resurrection day. We don’t know what that state is like. Paul says it is far better than continuing to live on earth. While this intermediate state is not our final state, we will be with Christ, and it will be a blessed time, far superior to what we experience here on earth.

Paul desires to depart and be with Christ, but he also has a deep concern for the church. If he remains on earth for a time, it will be a time of service to Jesus. He thinks it may be more necessary for him to remain on earth for the sake of the church. It will be a time of fruitful service. He is torn between the two options.

So, what happens if we die before the Second Coming of Jesus? We go to be with Him, waiting for the final day of resurrection and enjoying the blessings of heaven. In the meantime, we look for ways to serve our Savior.

Father, we look forward to the time when we leave this earth and are united with Jesus.  We know that it will be a time of incredible blessing. In the meantime, help us to do what we can to serve Him while we remain on earth. We want to be useful in service to our Master and His church. In His name, we pray, Amen.