What to Take With You
—When You Die
You are on call. You need to be ready, at short notice, to go on a journey away from this world. You have to think about what you are taking with you, and get your luggage ready. What will you bring on your journey through the dark valley of death?
1 The Things of This World Cannot Go With You.
Ecclesiastes 5:15
Solomon writes, "Everyone comes naked from their mother's womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands" (Ecclesiastes 5:15, Job 1:21).
Paul says the same thing: "We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out" (1Timothy 6:7).
You might be happy to leave your business and possessions behind —because your family will inherit them, and people will benefit from your legacy. That noble endeavour can, however, degenerate into the "bigger barns" scenario as described by Jesus in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-31).
We have not yet named what you should take with you on the journey through death. It was important to notice what we cannot take, namely worldly chattels, money, property, and other material things.
2Your Fleshly Body Cannot Go With You
1Corinthians 15:50
Paul writes, "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God". Paul explains that death destroys the mortal body and it undergoes corruption. Nevertheless it will be raised from death as an eternal, spiritual body. All the people who are alive at the time of the resurrection will also be changed (1Corinthians 15:50-55).
Some people put great effort into keeping their bodies fed, fit, and fashionable. Paul believes that people of right mind nurture the body rather than mistreating it: "For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church" (Ephesians 5:29).
Of course that can be overdone and excessive or obsessive attention to one's physical body robs one's spirit of devotion to worship, prayer, and the word (Acts 2:42).
Well enough of the material things you cannot take with you. Now to the eternal things you can...
3 You Must Take Your God-given Faith, Love, and Forgiveness
Ephesians 1:7-11
The first chapter of Ephesians names many precious things that we should take with us. They are spiritual and eternal, more real than anything on earth. For example, here is a list, drawn from the chapter, of several excellent blessings that help us on our journey, and we would be fools to go without them.
Redemption; forgiveness of sins; holiness; adoption; the grace of God; acceptance with God; faith and trust in God; the gospel of our salvation; the seal of the Spirit guaranteeing our inheritance; the great transaction, purchased and owned by Christ; love for God and all the saints; the spirit of wisdom; enlightenment; the knowledge of Christ; the exceeding greatness of his power.
Blessings like these ate entitlements granted you by Jesus —if you will accept the terms and conditions. Your alternative is to journey without these entitlements. Do you dare?