The Best for Last

We see that God reserves the best for the last. God's last works are his best works. The new heaven and the new earth are the best; the second wine that Christ created himself was the best; spiritual things are better than natural. A Christian's last is his best. God will have it so, for the comfort of Christians, that every day they live, they may think, 'My best is not behind, my best is to come.’ That every day they rise, they may think, 'I am one day nearer heaven than I was before.' What a solace this is to a gracious heart! A Christian is a happy man in his life, but happier in his death, because then he goes to Christ; but happiest of all in heaven, for then he is with Christ. How contrary to a carnal man, that lives according to the sway of his own lusts! He is miserable in his life, more miserable in his death, but most miserable of all after death. I beseech you, lay to heart that death is but a way for us to be with Christ, which is far better, this should sweeten the thinking of death to us.
But how shall we attain this sanctified sweet desire that Paul had, to die, and be with Christ (Phil. 1:23)?
(1) Let us carry ourselves as Paul did, and then we shall have the same desires. Paul, before death, in his lifetime, had his heart and mind on heaven (Col. 3:1, 2). There is no man's soul that comes into heaven, but his mind is there first. It was an easy matter for him to desire to be with Christ, having his heart and mind in heaven already.
(2) Paul had loosed his affections from all earthly things; therefore, it was an easy matter for him to desire to be with Christ. 'I am crucified to the world, and the world is crucified to me' (Gal. 6:14). If once a Christian comes to this pass, death will be welcome to him. Those whose hearts are fastened to the world, cannot easily desire Christ.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Christ is Best, pp. 19-21
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.