Genesis 3:17-19 KJV
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Possibly the paradox of all paradoxes is the fact that when we take our very first breath, we begin to live AND we begin to die.
The paradox of life and death.
The process of physical growth, development and maturity begins, but the process of dying also begins at the same time.
Whether you believe that the story in Genesis about the beginning of humankind is written as literal or metaphorical, is not the subject of this lesson.
The point of the lesson is the same either way.
Mankind will die a physical death because of sin.
Hebrews 9:2 KJV
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
ABSENT FROM THE BODY and PRESENT WITH THE LORD
The apostle Paul realized that this earthly life is temporary, but that a greater life awaits us.
In fact, Paul often longed to be with God. Several verses tell us this.
Please read these verses carefully to understand the importance of what Paul is saying.
2 Corinthians 5:6 KJV
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:1-8 KJV
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
LIFE IS SHORT
Human beings spend lots of money on things and activities that they believe will keep them healthy and extend their years on earth.
From supplements to gym memberships, the focus is on this life.
However, “father time” as they say, will always take its toll.
Think about how many folks have told you that they simply don't know where the time went. Their children grew up too fast. Grandchildren came along. Retirement came.
How did we get here so fast, many ask themselves.
James described it perfectly. He said that our physical life is like a vapor that quickly vanishes away.
James 4:14 KJV
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
PHYSICAL DEATH BRINGS NEW and EVERLASTING LIFE
The great news is that the paradox of that first breath of life & death, inverts or reverses itself upon our physical death, if we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and live in obedience to God.
So, don’t be despondent about our first breath being the beginning life, and also the start of the death process.
Here is why.
Upon the death of our physical body, our soul begins to live for eternity in the presence of God.
In other words, physical death starts life eternal for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior.
I have heard several Christians remark “it is better than the alternative” when they have survived an accident or illness.
If this is really meant as spoken, it indicates too great of an emphasis on this world and what it has to offer which is contrary to what Jesus teaches us.
Of course, being alive to enjoy our family is a blessing. In fact, each day God gives us in this life is a blessing and an opportunity to be “the light of the world” that He wants us to be.
However, nothing, absolutely nothing can compare or even come close to the blessings God has in store for us in our eternal home.
1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
In closing, remember the paradox of our first breath and our last breath.
For all of us, our first breath in the delivery room is the beginning of both life and death.
But gloriously, if we are children of God, our last breath or physical death, is the beginning of life that is everlasting.
1 John 5:11 KJV
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:13 KJV
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
RVH