Now we can finally embrace our holy calling – the shame of Christ, and the suffering of the gospel. How? Because love has the final word. Not death. Not corruption. Not meaninglessness. Not a earthly project that dies along with us, but an heavenly project of soul transformation that will never end. An eternity in the soul satisfying embrace of God’s purpose and grace. An eternity in “to live is Christ.”
“To live is Christ” is not only a union with Christ’s spiritual existence forever (which it is). It is a union with Christ’s bodily, physical existence forever. May this hope of the glorious renewal of all things sustain and empower us as we live through days of pain and loss, hopelessness and hurt, until that day when we too will walk out of our graves into the presence of the Son. Until then do not be afraid.
“To live is Christ” is to embrace the truth that we are the thief on the cross, we are the soldiers pounding the nails. But those two nails are the forgiveness and eternal life of Jesus Christ.
“To live is Christ” means no more fear of dying and no more fear of living.
“To live is Christ” means that Jesus is far more than our example for how to live. He IS our life. We are made alive by our union with his life and we live from our union with his life. This is abundant life, for it is the life of grace and freedom. No longer must we figure life out. No longer must we self-actualize. No. Life has been lived for us by Jesus, and now it is lived through us by Jesus. And together with Jesus we will live in love forever.
“To live is Christ” is possible only when we receive the good news of what Jesus has done for all of us poor and powerless on his cross. Why not turn to him today in faith and find the freedom of his unconditional love and grace?
