The age-old questions…is there life after death; is there a hell; can anyone know? Yes, yes and yes! But in order to believe the answers, one must believe that the word of God is trustworthy and true. Otherwise, it’s all speculation, leading to a life void of assurance, thus creating doubt and, yes, anxiety. One opens themselves up to all forms of theories and even mega-religious beliefs. You start making sure you are worthy if there is life after this life. The argument of works vss. grace becomes a crucial factor.
Let’s look at some of God’s word. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2.20). This confirms, if you have trusted Christ for your salvation, that you have actually died through crucifixion with Christ, but you also live; but it’s not you who is living in your flesh, it’s Christ living in you. Dead, but living!
Jesus makes the boldest of statements to Martha about who he is. It is one of the greatest ‘I Am’ declarations. Also, look at you in this equation. ‘Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this”’ (Jn. 11.25,26)?Profound! We all, unless Christ comes before we die, will face death, but this scripture says we will never die if we have belief in him. The Galatians verse addresses faith in the Son of God to have life now and everlasting.
Why, because He lives, and we are in Him! And look at the transaction that is revealed in this truth. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5.17). In Christ, you are already a new creation. Your old nature is dead, crucified with Christ, and now you live this new life. And it will never face permanent death. As it is said of David, “he fell asleep” (Acts 13.36). His body saw corruption, but not Christ’s (Psa. 16.10).
So, ‘in Christ’ you will simply fall asleep and wake up in His presence, to live for eternity. That which was ‘crucified’ is your sinful self, but your ‘new creation’ lives. Now…by faith, without doubting, fully assured, because His promises are ‘trustworthy and true’. Grace upon grace! Yes, and Amen!