True Life and True Death

Living Well That We May Not Die Ill

1. What our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to His disciples in those days was recorded for us to hear. So we have heard His words. What good would it be if He were seen but not heard? And now it's no loss that He is not seen, as long as He is heard. He says, "Whoever rejects you rejects Me" (Luke 10:16). If He had said this only to the Apostles, you could say, "We can reject you." But if His word extends to us, and He has called us and placed us in their position, be careful not to reject us, so that your rejection doesn't reach Him. If you don't fear us, fear Him who said, "Whoever rejects you rejects Me."

Why do we, who don't want to be rejected by you, speak to you? Only so that we may rejoice in your good way of living. Let your good works bring comfort amid our dangers. Live well, so that you may not die ill.

2. When I say, "Live well, so that you may not die ill," don't think about those who perhaps lived wickedly yet died in their beds, whose funerals were extravagant, who were laid in expensive coffins and beautiful tombs. Don't think I've said something foolish just because each of you might be thinking, "I would like to die like that." I meant what I said: I want you to live well so that you won't die ill.

On the other hand, you might be thinking of someone who lived well but, in human opinion, died badly—perhaps in a collapsing building, in a shipwreck, or attacked by wild animals. And worldly people might say, "What good is it to live well? Look how this person lived, yet see how they died."

"Return to your heart" (Isaiah 46:8), and if you are faithful, you will find Christ there. He speaks to you within. I may shout aloud, but He teaches more effectively in silence. I speak through the sound of words; He speaks within through thoughts that inspire holy fear. May He plant my words in your heart, for I have taken it upon myself to say, "Live well, so that you may not die ill." See, faith is in your hearts, Christ dwells there, and it is His place to teach what I wish to express.

3. Remember the rich man and the poor man in the Gospel: "the rich man clothed in purple and fine linen," enjoying lavish daily feasts, and the poor man "lying at the rich man's gate, hungry," looking for "crumbs from his table, covered with sores" that were "licked by dogs" (Luke 16:19-21). Remember this story. How do you remember it? Because Christ is there in your hearts.

Tell me, what have you asked Him within, and what has He answered? The Gospel continues: "The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried in hell. And being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Lazarus resting in Abraham's bosom. Then he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame'" (Luke 16:22-24).

Proud in this world, a beggar in hell! That poor man did receive his crumbs, but the rich man couldn't get even a drop of water. Of these two, tell me, which died well and which died ill? Don't ask your eyes—return to your heart. If you ask your eyes, they will answer falsely. The rich man's funeral honors would have been impressive and worldly—crowds of mourning servants, a procession of dependents, elaborate funeral ceremonies, and an expensive burial. I imagine he was covered with spices.

What shall we say then, brothers and sisters? Did he die well or ill? If you ask your eyes, he died very well. But if you inquire of your inner Teacher, he died most tragically.

4. If proud people who keep their possessions to themselves and share nothing with the poor die like this, how much worse will those die who steal what belongs to others? Therefore, I have said truthfully, "Live well, so that you may not die ill"—so that you won't die like that rich man.

Nothing reveals a bad death except what happens after death. Now look at that poor man. Don't look with your physical eyes, for then you will be mistaken. Let faith look at him; let your heart see him. Picture him lying on the ground, "covered with sores, with dogs coming and licking his sores" (Luke 16:21). When you imagine him like this, you immediately feel disgust—you turn away and hold your nose. But see with the eyes of your heart.

"He died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom" (Luke 16:22). The rich man's family was seen mourning him, but the angels weren't seen rejoicing. What did Abraham say to the rich man? "Son, remember that in your lifetime you received good things" (Luke 16:25). You thought nothing was good except what you had in this life. You received those things, but those days are gone. You've lost everything, and now you remain to be tormented in hell.

5. How appropriate these words are for you, brothers and sisters! Care for the poor, whether they are lying on the ground or walking about. Care for the poor, do good works. Those of you who already do this, keep doing it. Those who haven't been doing it, start now. Let the number of those doing good works increase as the number of believers increases.

You don't yet see the great good you're doing. It's like a farmer who doesn't see his crop when he sows, but he trusts the soil. Why don't you trust God? Our harvest will come. Remember that we are laboring now, working hard now, but we will surely receive our reward. As it is written, "They went out weeping, carrying seed to sow. They will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them" (Psalm 126:6).