From Death to Life!

When the last hour comes to the believer, and death and God's judgment appear before his eyes, he does not base his comfort upon his works. Even though he may have lived the holiest life possible, he says with Paul, "I am not conscious of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not vindicated and acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord [Himself] Who examines and judges me." 1 Cor. 4:4

These words imply being ill pleased with self, with the whole life, indeed, even the putting to death of self. Though the heart says, "By my works I am neither made righteous nor saved," which is practically admitting oneself to be worthy of death and condemnation, the Spirit extricates from despair, through the Gospel faith, which confesses, as did St. Bernard in the hour of death:

"Dear Lord Jesus, I am aware that my life at its best has been but worthy of condemnation, but I trust in the fact that thou hast died for me and hast sprinkled me with blood from thy holy wounds. For I have been baptized in thy name and have given heed to thy Word whereby thou hast called me, awarded me grace and life, and bidden me believe. In this assurance will I pass out of life; not in uncertainty and anxiety, thinking, 'Who knows what sentence God in heaven will pass upon me?’”

The Christian must not utter such a question. The sentence against his life and works has long since been passed by the Law. Therefore, he must confess himself guilty and condemned. But he lives by the gracious judgment of God declared from heaven, whereby the sentence of the Law is overruled and reversed. It is this: "He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life".  Jn. 3:36

When the consolation of the Gospel has once been received and it has wrested the heart from death and the terrors of hell, the Spirit's influence is felt. By its power God's Law begins to live in man's heart; he loves it, delights in it and enters upon its fulfillment. Thus eternal life begins here, being continued forever and perfected in the life to come.

THE SERMONS OF MARTIN LUTHER
VOL. VIII, PAGE 244

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From Death to Life

Hymn written by Ulysses Phillips 

The Evening Light Hymnal 1949

From death to life, oh, what a thought!
Within my soul what change is wrought
By pow’r divine, no tongue can tell,
One thing I know—for me ’tis well;
From darkness unto light sublime,
Through my Redeemer’s matchless Name;
For this He left His home on high,
That I should not forever die.

Refrain:

Oh, praise the Lord for victory,
From death to life He lifted me;
By His great love and pow’r divine
Eternal life is truly mine.

There Jesus paid it all, I see,
To bring this wondrous life to me;
Life from above, oh, joy sublime!
That such a treasure should be mine;
Now in God’s Son I have a part,
Eternal life within my heart,
Translated from the shades of night,
Into the realm of glorious light.

A resurrection, I confess,
Has taken place within my breast;
I’ve been awakened from the dead,
And now I live with Christ instead;
And when I lay this body down,
To mold and crumble in the ground,
My ransomed soul shall fly away,
To one long, bright, eternal day.

There light and life without an end
Into eternity shall blend;
And I the Lord of life shall greet,
And worship at His blessed feet;
Then may I clasp His nail-scarred hands,
Which broke for me death’s awful bands,
By His great love; how could it be?
From death to life He lifted me.

John 5:24

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.