Lifestyle = Death Style

I watched a documentary on Metallica the other night. They filmed this while they were recording their next album 'St. Anger', (not their best in my opinion). On this album they have a song titled "Frantic". One line of lyrics goes "My Lifestyle Determines My Death Style". 

I started thinking about that . Could that be true. Could the way that we live determine the way that we die? I mean I suppose it could. If you live the rock n' roll lifestyle, you could die from over indulgence of alcohol or drugs. To many rock stars have died this way. That was the way they chose to live their lives!

If you are a gangbanger, chances are you will die a violent gang related death. Fighting over territory, colors, money, girls, etc. etc. 

A drug dealer could easily die in a deal that goes sideways. They choose to deal drugs, they know the consequences. 

Alcoholic could die from cirrhosis of the liver. A smoker could die from lung cancer. The list can go on and on.

I started to think about my lifestyle. How do I live my life? My life is centered around Christ and His teaching. Because of Him, I try to live an upstanding, righteous life. Do things do the right way, treat people the right way. Does that mean that I couldn't die any of the ways that I mentioned earlier? No. I am not any better than anyone else. I just know that I don't want my death style to be without Christ.

Philippians 1:21 Amplified Bible

21 For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity].

I want my lifestyle to equal my death style. That both have Jesus in them.

Romans 14:8 Amplified Bible

8 If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

So I encourage you tonight. Like the Bible says, whether we live or die, we are The Lords!