Living as Christ.

We all long for something. Whether its longing for the upcoming installment of a favorite movie or book series (e.g. "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"), a meal to satisfy the stomach rumbles, a holiday after a weary season, or a certain kind of relationship, longing is an everyday reality.

As Christians, we all long for the coming of our Lord to bring about the completion of the Kingdom of God. Especially in the weariness and uncertainty of this present life, we long for the certain hope and destination that is ours in Christ Jesus. Yet, the reality is that we have not yet entered that promised Rest. We are still journeying forward through the mire and muck of a fallen world.

How do we maintain courage and persevere in walking faithfully in this life before we enter Heaven's Rest? Paul's answer is found in Philippians 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain." We see here that we not only have a future hope in Christ, but also a present hope.

We are able to endure and persevere with the hope that in the end there will be certain deliverance and victory: to die is gain. This is reason to rejoice! Paul writes, "Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed" (v.19-20). Paul wasn't just referring to his hope to no longer be in physical bondage, as he is under house arrest while writing this letter, but he is also speaking of his ultimate deliverance from a weak creation longing for the perfect heavenly rest (2 Cor. 5:2).

Paul uses triumphant language demonstrating his faith in the certainty of Christ's victory. In Christ's death and resurrection, he defeated the curse of sin (death) and effectively atoned for the sin of all who believe in him. As we are united in Christ, we will never be defeated or can be condemned for the sin he already paid the price for. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, "we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Rom. 8:37). So, that's our future hope of ultimate deliverance, that is sure because of the work of Christ on the Cross.

Our present hope is found in this: Living is Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:9, Paul recognizes that he would rather be at home with the Lord, but that regardless of where he is he knows that his purpose is living to glorify the Lord: "So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him."

We have good work that was created for us by God, and we are strengthened by God's abundant grace to invest the different gifts he has given to us individually in his wisdom (Eph. 2:8-10). If we invest and cultivate skills in any area of our life, we are expecting a certain result. If you want to be a good cook, you read some recipes and learn from the example of an experienced cook. If you want to do well at a sport, you practice and go hard in the games. God tells us that we will "reap what we sow," and that he supplies all that we need to invest and grow in godliness and the Kingdom of God: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work" (2 Cor. 9:8).

Paul recognizes that, in living and life, he has a fruitful labor given to him by God. He says that living will benefit the Philippians and be used to bring them "progress and joy in the faith" and glory to God (Phil. 1:25-26). This is a labor shared by every believer. God calls us to live lives worthy of the gospel ,wherever we are. Whatever roles you are in: wife, daughter, mom, sister, friend, Church member, student, employee, we have the opportunity to honor God and live lives worthy of the gospel (Phil 1:27). In Christ, our living always has purpose.

Jim Elliot once wrote, "Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living." If we only dwell on the future hope, and neglect the present hope offered in Christ we kill the abundant joy of living for Christ. So, we cry out, "Come, Lord Jesus!" and rejoice in the Lord, while we are still waiting and laboring.