John Flavel, the great English Puritan Presbyterian minister and author, once said: “The Scriptures teach us the best way of living, the noblest way of suffering, and the most comfortable way of dying.”1 As Christians we soon come to realize, as we walk with the Lord, that the Bible is our basic instructions before leaving earth. It’s our instruction manual and guidebook that teaches us, in the words of Flavel, how to live, suffer, and die. Let’s see just what advice the Bible gives us in these three areas.
The Scriptures teach us the best way of living
When the Bible tells us to take up our cross and follow Christ it doesn’t promise us an easy life but it does promise us a wonderfully rewarding life. When a person gives their life over to Jesus they are given a new heart and the ability to experience true joy and peace no matter what trials they may have to face in life. In addition, they are given the awesome privilege to commune with the Creator of the universe. As we mature in Christ we gain the wisdom needed to help us make good decisions, learn the great secret of how not to worry, and with the help of Jesus chart a life of deep meaning and purpose. And when we let Jesus run our lives we can be certain that each day will be an exciting adventure and bedtime will be filled with a night of sound sleep. The Bible is God’s love letter to us so let’s cherish it and watch it revolutionize the way we live.
The Scriptures teach us the noblest way of suffering
Suffering. Whether you are a Christian or a non-believer, we all will experience suffering in this life – it is inevitable. The world says why me when they go through suffering, but the Christian understands that God often uses suffering as part of His divine plan. As we mature in Christ we understand the reality of (Romans 8:28): “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” And this includes suffering. Thus, when we go through a period of suffering, rather than complain or get angry at others, or even God, we allow God to work good from what we are going through. In other words, we trust God and allow Him to use our suffering for His good purpose. And always remember that life is a training course for eternity. So, the next time we go through a severe trial or an intense period of suffering, surrender it to Jesus, and allow Him to be glorified by our positive attitude; and trust that God will use it to advance His kingdom.
The Scriptures teach us the most comfortable way of dying
Death is a subject that nobody wants to talk about. It is usually associated with sickness, pain, and deterioration of our bodies. As a Christian who is now 68 years-old, I am well past the halfway point of life here on planet earth. But I also realize that death is not final, but only the beginning of an eternity of bliss – spending time with Jesus. Thus, I echo the words of the Apostle Paul: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21). Christians can take great comfort in knowing that one day they must physically die in order to gain their glorified body and spend eternity with Christ. Death for the Christian is a time to celebrate our amazing homecoming and to reflect on what awaits us in glory. May the following two verses from the Book of Philippians comfort you now and especially as you get closer to your date with physical death: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21).