TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY IS TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
INTRODUCTION:
Death is often seen as an end, but for the Christian, it is merely a transition. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, expresses a confident hope that when we depart from this earthly existence, we are immediately ushered into the presence of the Lord. This assurance is not based on wishful thinking or a vague hope, but on the promises of God’s Word. As we gather today to mourn the loss of our beloved, we are reminded of this powerful truth: to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Our grief is tempered by the confidence that our loved one is in a far better place, free from pain, and enjoying eternal rest in God’s presence.
While our hearts may ache with sorrow at the separation, we must remember that this separation is temporary. We are reminded in the Scriptures that death is not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter. For the Christian, the death of the body does not signify the end of life; it is merely the moment when the soul is finally reunited with its Creator. This understanding gives us peace, knowing that our loved one has entered into the joy and eternal peace of God's presence.
1. DEATH IS A TRANSITION, NOT AN END
Though death may appear as the end of life, for the believer, it is simply a transition from the temporary to the eternal.
a) Death is a passage from the earthly to the heavenly realm. The Christian does not fear death because it is a step closer to eternal life with Christ (John 14:2-3).
b) Death does not break our relationship with God. Rather, it enhances it by bringing us into His full presence (Philippians 1:23).
c) Death is a release from earthly struggles. It marks the end of suffering, pain, and limitations, ushering the believer into eternal peace (Revelation 21:4).
d) The believer’s soul is immediately in God’s presence. At the moment of death, the soul of the believer is taken to be with the Lord (Luke 23:43).
Biblical Example: When Stephen was stoned, he looked up and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God, showing us that death for the believer leads to immediate communion with the Lord (Acts 7:55-56).
2. WE CAN BE CONFIDENT IN THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE
The confidence that Paul speaks of comes from knowing the promises of God regarding eternal life and the Christian’s hope beyond the grave.
a) Eternal life is the ultimate gift from God. It is not something we earn but a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
b) Our confidence is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because Christ was raised from the dead, we too have the hope of resurrection and eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
c) This confidence gives us peace in the face of death. Knowing that our loved ones are with the Lord should comfort us and ease our sorrow (John 11:25-26).
d) Our hope in eternal life enables us to live with purpose. The knowledge that we have an eternal home with Christ encourages us to live each day with faith and hope (2 Corinthians 5:1).
Biblical Example: Jesus assured Martha that her brother Lazarus would rise again, showing that for believers, death is not the end, but a temporary separation (John 11:23-25).
3. THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD IS OUR ULTIMATE COMFORT
The true comfort in the face of death is found in knowing that our loved one is now in the presence of the Lord, experiencing eternal peace and joy.
a) In God’s presence, there is fullness of joy. Death cannot steal the joy that comes from being in God’s presence forever (Psalm 16:11).
b) In God’s presence, there is no more pain or suffering. The believer is free from all the struggles of this life and now enjoys perfect peace (Revelation 21:4).
c) The presence of the Lord brings eternal rest. Death marks the end of life’s burdens and the beginning of eternal rest for the soul (Matthew 11:28).
d) The joy of being with the Lord is eternal. The Bible assures us that those who are in Christ will experience everlasting joy and peace (Isaiah 51:11).
Biblical Example: The Apostle Paul longed to depart and be with Christ, for he knew that this would be far better than any earthly experience (Philippians 1:23).
4. DEATH IS A CELEBRATION OF A LIFE WELL LIVED IN CHRIST
For the Christian, death is not just a sorrowful event but a celebration of a life that was lived in faith and love for Christ.
a) Death is a homecoming for the believer. It is the moment when the believer is finally united with Christ, the One whom they have loved and served (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
b) Death is a victory over sin and death. Christ’s death and resurrection secured victory for all believers, and at death, we enter into that victory fully (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
c) Death is a fulfillment of God’s promises. For those who have lived in Christ, death marks the fulfillment of the promise of eternal life with Him (Titus 1:2).
d) A Christian’s death is a testimony of God’s faithfulness. It shows that God has kept His promise to bring His children into His eternal presence (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Biblical Example: The Apostle Paul fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith, and at the moment of his death, he was assured of his reward in heaven (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
5. WE WILL MEET AGAIN IN THE LORD’S PRESENCE
For Christians, death is not a permanent separation; it is a temporary parting with the promise of a joyful reunion in the presence of the Lord.
a) We will see our loved ones again. The Bible promises that there will be a great reunion in heaven, where believers will be together in God’s presence forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
b) Our reunion with the Lord will be glorious. When Christ returns, we will meet Him in the air and be with Him forever in eternal joy (Revelation 21:3-4).
c) This hope gives us strength to endure the pain of separation. Knowing that death is not the final goodbye allows us to live with hope (1 Corinthians 15:51-57).
d) Our reunion will be marked by worship and praise. Together with our loved ones, we will worship and praise God for eternity (Revelation 7:9-10).
Biblical Example: The promise of reunion is seen in the story of the resurrection of the dead at the last trumpet, where believers will be reunited with Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
CONCLUSION:
Though we grieve in our loss, let us be encouraged by the powerful truth that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Our loved ones who have passed are now in the full presence of God, free from pain, and experiencing eternal joy. We can find comfort in knowing that death is not the end, but a transition to something far greater. As we look forward to our own eternal home, let us live with the hope of a joyful reunion with those we have lost and, ultimately, with our Lord and Savior.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, thank You for the hope of eternal life that gives us peace in times of loss.
2. Father, comfort our hearts with the assurance that our loved ones are with You.
3. We pray for strength to endure the pain of separation and to hold onto the hope of reunion.
4. Help us to live with the hope of eternal life, living each day in light of eternity.
5. Lord, fill us with peace as we await the glorious return of Jesus and the resurrection of the dead.
