The Reality of Death

Death—looks like loss. Sickness—smells like defeat. Burial—sounds like an end. I am writing this as I prepare to bury a sweet lady and friend, an inspiration and example to many. Her life was filled with a love of Jesus. For a true believer… Jesus’ love makes death a gain. Jesus’ sacrifice makes one victorious. Jesus gives his children life, with Himself, forever.

Death is a reality for us all.  We may try to avoid death. Delay death. Add humor to death. Ease death. Ignore death. But it is coming. There is no escape from its grasp. Most of us will get little to no warning about the nearness or means of our death. It is not a topic to ignore, but a subject to seriously consider.

Hebrews 9:27—“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people”

Death is a reminder for us all.  Our time on earth is limited. We must not live without purpose. We must think about what happens beyond our physical death. God wants us to know Him and to be with Him.

Ecclesiastes 7:2—“It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.”

Death is a painful warning for the lost. The painful reality of death is a warning of the painful reality of Hell. May we listen to the loving concern of Jesus, that we might turn away from selfish sin and turn to Him.

2 Peter 3:9—“The Lord … is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

Death is only defeated one way. Jesus is the only one who has the power over death. He is the only way to Heaven. We must treasure Jesus and trust Jesus more than anything in order to conquer death.

Matthew 7:13-14—“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Death to self is the beginning of life.  The reason it is hard to go to Heaven is that it requires us to die to yourself. To die to your own pleasures and desires and sin. Have you? It means trusting Jesus more than yourself. Loving Jesus more than yourself. Do you?

John 5:24—“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”

Death is a certain transition for the saved. A Christian has no doubt or fear about what happens after they die. For them “to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21) and means being with Jesus immediately “in paradise” (Luke 23:43). For the true believer, physical death means “no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)  

“Amen, Come Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)