2 Timothy 1:9-10. 9[God] saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
In America, there is a political party called the Transhumanist Party. Their platform includes seeking human immortality through the science of life extension and risk aversion.
Google owns part of a company called the California Life Company that invests in R&D aimed at promoting longevity through the curing of cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.
Nutrition science has created a multibillion-dollar diet industry aimed at the avoidance of death through healthy eating.
Why are we working so hard at not dying? Why are we all either trying to distract ourselves from our own mortality or seeking to create immortality through science, healthy living, or legacy building? Maybe it’s not death that we are avoiding, but the meaninglessness it brings with it.
Think about the projects you’re working on right now, all the things that get you out of bed in the morning. Work projects. Household projects. Getting the garage organized. Finishing your degree. Solving world hunger. Now imagine you died right now. Which of those projects would die with you? Or which would simply go on without you? You see, death makes everything meaningless.
What’s God’s solution to our death problem? The appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Two thousand years ago Jesus did what we’ve been trying to do for all of human history. He abolished death. His resurrection put death to death. But here’s the plot twist – you’re still going to die. But in Christ your death is not an ending, it’s a glorious new beginning. You will never die again. You will live on. Forever.
But is living forever any better than dying? What happens after I’ve done everything good for the trillionth time? Doesn’t it also become meaningless? And for that matter, what good is there to do in a perfect place? I’m not so sure that abolishing death sounds like such a great idea.
That’s why there’s more to the work of Christ – he brought life and immortality to light. Immortality in Christ is not your present, sin filled self, living forever and ever. Rather, eternity in Christ is life and immortality. God’s own divine life, in us, as his own incorruption, purity, and sincerity.
Christian, you are going to live forever in a state of sinless perfection, with the desires of God and a desire for God which will be being satisfied forever. Meaning will be found way beyond the projects of this life. Meaning will be found way beyond yourself. Meaning will be found in the love-receiving worship of the Trinity.
And here’s the result for today: when we embrace the death of death, when we place our hope in the life and immortality of Christ, we can finally experience a deep sense of tranquility and serenity at knowing that this life is no longer about self-preservation or legacy building, or finding meaning in temporal gains. It’s about to live is Christ, the most meaningful life ever conceived
You: Do you fear death?
You in Christ: How does being in Christ give us more than just immortality, but also divine life and incorruption?
Christ in you: How can the hope of Christ’s immortality free you to love others and share his life today?
To Live is Christ 