Christ is Gain
Sunday’s Verse:
From Matthew 5:9 ESV
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Saint Paul says this while in prison. It's not that life in prison is great. Or that dying is a wonderful thing. But since Christ owns Paul, then whether he lives or dies it's all about Jesus.
"When I live, I am living for Christ". Our lives are not about making sure we can provide for ourselves. Making sure we have a secure future. Trying to hold everything together by ourselves. Christ is our life. He forgives us of our sins. He gave us his name in our baptism. He gives us his body and blood and sends us out to help our neighbor. We will always be in Christ's care.
"When I die it's a gain." Does not mean that your family will not cry when someone dies. Or that your life isn't worth anything. But because Christ conquered death, it has no power over those who believe in Him. So to die is to be with Christ, which is a gain.
We don't have to live our lives worrying about what we are going to do next. Because we belong to Christ now and always.
✝️ A Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus Christ, You are our life here on earth and when we pass away. Help us to live our lives knowing that we are serving you. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash