WRITER’S APPOLOGY: Just as I took my pen to write about death, I did not understand what moved me. Death is really fearful, why should I write? It will take me now, I replied if it thinks it is really fearful then why not kill me now, thou shall not touch the anointed, for I am a child of God. He sets limits for all.
I ask that readers should see this piece of article a Christian Literature and if I lie that death is inevitable and proven to me then I have not written nor no man ever died.
Death is an inevitable phenomenon in man’s life. Death came into being when the first man disobeyed God:
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto ground; for out of it was thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Gen 3.19 (KJV)
The one thing which may not want us to invite death is that man should be able to accomplish their dreams and that to be able to use our talents that God has bestowed on us before death comes. Perhaps, some may not even die till rapture.
Most people fear that as though that ends it all. A Christian should not fear death in that death is just a passage to something greater than what we see on this earth. Death becomes pompous and a captain when we fear it, Christians, however, should know that death has already been defeated since our Saviour’s death did put some blood in his face. That is the more reason why Paul says:
Where, Death, is your victory? Where, death, is your power to hurt? 1 Corinthians 15.55 (Good News English Bible)
Sin robs man of boldness and courage to face life’s situation squarely. Even though the Bible spells out the fact that our righteousness is like a filthy rag, we (Christians) should acknowledge the fact that Jesus Christ is the saviour to those who belief in him and that
…, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6) (Good News Bible)
The Bible even points out the fact that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. That is the more reason why Christians should as much possible to eschew sin and love Jesus Christ who gives life (eternal). Why then should a Christian fear death when he loves Jesus Christ and fear the God of heaven and earth? Death is only a transition to something much better, greater and wonderful. It is not as though death ends it all, but Christians should remember that God is preparing a place for us when He comes for his church.
The book of Ecclesiastes acknowledges the fact that there is time for everything on this earth
A time to be born, and a time to die… Eccl 3. 2 (KJV)
The Lord that made heaven and earth has control over all things and has set limits for every person and that cannot be changed by man because the Lord is the King of Kings:
And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation. Acts 17. 26 (KJV)
Christ’s own death has made the difference. His resurrection from the dead offers hope to all who believe in him, that they too will find life beyond the grave. This may be a reference to Christ’s blood shed at his death and the belief that his sacrifice has made salvation possible for human beings. Partly it may be a reference to the new life which will be experienced by those who will be accepted by God at Doomsday.
They will take on new spiritual bodies as described in 1 Corinthians 15.51-56, a passage often read at Christian funeral services.
AVOIDING THE STING OF DEATH
God’s kind should try his best to avoid death’s mighty and dreadful appearance. This will be possible if we become true Christians. There are many who would call themselves Christians who know nothing about spiritual struggle, conflict or self-denial. They may be married in church, buried in church, call themselves Christians, but you never see any fight about their religion. Theirs is not the religion which the Lord Jesus founded and which the Apostles preached. It is not a religion which produces holiness.
With whom does the Christian fight? Not with other Christians! As a general rule, the cause of sin is only helped when Christians waste their strength in quarreling with one another. The true Christian fights a constant battle against the world, the flesh and the devil. These are the chief enemies of true Christians, for, with corrupt hearts, as a busy devil and a world always seeking to entrap them, Christians must either fight or be lost.
Christians must fight the flesh. Even after conversion all believers still carry within them a nature prone to evil and emotional feelings which can lead them astray. To deal with such temptation there is the need for daily spiritual struggle and daily earnest prayer. As Paul wrote to the believers in Colosse:
Put to death therefore whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3.5)
And one could add things which in our days are likely to be addictive, such as various kinds of gambling, defilement, etc.
Christians must fight the world. The subtle influence of the world’s ungodly love of material things is hard to resist. Christians may fear the unbelieving world’s laughter or blame; may wish to copy the behavior of unbelieving people, may fear to appear extreme in the eyes of the world- but these are the spiritual enemies we must fight.
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God? Anyone who has chosen to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. (James 4.4)
Christians must fight the devil. We must not doubt the reality of the devil. He is alive; he never sleeps; he is the Christian’s unseen enemy. Satan has asked to have you, that he may sift you as wheat (Luke 22.31). This enemy must be resisted every day if we wish to be saved. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith… (1 Peter 5.8).
The fight is absolutely necessary, so that when we die we would be sure to have eternal glory. We have no choice. Death is a certainty and that we should prepare as we go through this fight. To be at peace with the world, the flesh ant the devil is to be opposed to God. We must either fight or be lost!
The fight is ceaseless; it is until we die. The Christian’s enemies take no holidays, never weary and never sleep. Conflict is the constant companion of those who wish to be holy and see death and joyous and a glad thing. It is a sad thing when a so-called Christian knows nothing about this spiritual battle.
Move on, take on the armour of God and surely you will succeed and prosper eternally and death will finally die.
DEATH, NO LONGER THE END
So, in Christian belief, death is no longer the end of life, but almost like a host, ushering Christians into new life and a new transformed body, souls shall wear their new array. Until the Day of Judgement believers merely sleep in death, and the grave is their bed. For pillow, then, they can choose either to have dust, as in the old pagan way of thinking; or down – soft feathers so that they lie comfortably as believers waiting in the hope of resurrection.
The Holy Book says that all things work together for good for those who love and fear God. Why then should true Christians fear death when we know that our father has assured as something better. The Bible clearly spells out the fact that the believer has triumph over death and the grave, an exhortation to diligence. (1 Corinthians 15.55-58).
All the saints would not die but all would be changed. All the saints should not die, but all would be changed. In the gospel, many truths, before hidden in mystery, are made known. Death never shall appear in the regions to which our Lord will bear his risen saints. Therefore let us seek the full assurance of faith and hope, that in the midst of pain, and in the prospect of death, we may think calmly on the horrors of the tomb; assured that our bodies will there sleep, and in the meantime our souls will be present with the Redeemer. Sin gives death all its hurtful power.
The sting of death is sin; but Christ, by dying, has taken out this sting; he has made atonement for sin, he has obtained remission of it.
The strength of sin is the law. None can answer its demands, endure its curse, or do away his own transgressions. Hence terror and anguish. And hence death is terrible to the unbelieving and the impenitent. Death may seize a believer, but it cannot hold him in its power. How many springs of joy to the saints, and of thanksgiving to God, are opened by the death and resurrection, the sufferings and conquests of the Redeemer!
In verse # (58), we have an exhortation, that believers should be stedfast, firm in the faith of that gospel which the apostle preached, and they received. Also, to be unmovable in their hope and expectation of this great privilege, of being raised incorruptible and immortal. And to abound in the work of the Lord, always doing the Lord’s service, and obeying the Lord’s commands.
May Christ give us faith, and increase our faith, that we may not only be safe, but joyful and triumphant. – (Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary)
