Articles
Ready to Die
“I am ready.”
When it comes to our last breath, not everyone can say that. Death happens whether we are prepared or not. It can’t be stopped. But the moment can come in peace or it can be a time of panic. For some, even the thought of one day dying (no matter how many years off such an event could potentially be) is panic-inducing. They are not ready, and don’t understand how anyone could be.
Paul was ready. He was headed to Jerusalem and the Holy Spirit was clearly revealing that things would not go well once he arrived. All of Paul’s friends begged him not to go. But Paul would not be dissuaded. “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart?” Paul asked. “For I am ready not only to be bound but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13).
Can you and I have that same certainty? Can we have the same peace and resolve? Can we be ready?
Paul’s readiness was the result of two things joined together.
First, Paul had faith. Having seen Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was convinced that Jesus was alive and ruling in heaven. More than that, he was convinced that Jesus came to the world to save sinners such as himself. So, despite once being the foremost sinner (I Tim. 1:15), Paul could be confident in the gracious offer of forgiveness. As a result, when Paul contemplated death, he was convinced that beyond death was something great—something worth living for. To die, was to “be with Christ” and that was “very much better” (Phil. 1:23) than continuing to live on earth. When we have a confident hope that there is something better waiting for us on the other side of the veil of death, then we can approach our final moments not just with a peaceful calm but with eager excitement.
However, Paul would not have had such confidence and readiness if it were not for one other thing that he added to his faith. Works. Paul was ready because he had lived to be ready. Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” and that led to his confidently saying, “in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteous, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” (II Tim. 4:7-8). Jesus was Lord and Paul had faithfully followed Him. Paul still had a past, but he had changed direction, and everyone who knew him could see it. It isn’t that Paul was perfect, but it was obvious that he was a proven disciple of Jesus (not just in word but in deed). He had lived for Jesus. He had sacrificed and suffered for Jesus. As a result, he was ready to stand before Jesus. This great confidence wasn’t just for him but also for “all who have loved His appearing” (II Tim. 4:8).
Do you believe that Jesus is risen and reigns? Does your life reflect discipleship to Him? When faith and works combine, what results is a readiness for the glorious reward that waits for us after death. Then, like Paul, we can be ready.
