Do you think that death is far better than remaining in the flesh?
I think most of us prefer remaining in the flesh! For most of us, we would say, “For to me to die is Christ, and to live is gain. After all, if I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. I wouldn't mind departing to be with Christ, but it would be better to remain in the flesh, because I like it here – and the people I love are all here.”
Our identity – our meaning and purpose – are found here – in the flesh. Only when our loved ones start dying here do we begin to turn our hearts and minds to the hereafter.
John Calvin comments that “the mind is never seriously aroused to desire and ponder the life to come unless it be previously imbued with contempt for the present life.” (III.ix.1)
Contempt? Isn't that a little strong?
If you do not “desire to depart and be with Christ,” then you are not thinking rightly about your life in Christ!
I would suggest that you will only come to say that “to live is Christ” when you believe from the heart that “to die is gain”!
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