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November 1999
Death -- a thought or subject to really look at for many people. Death makes many people feel uncomfortable, it can make a person want to deny death. Those who believe in Christ are comforted in death, but those outside of Christ are never trying to discuss it, or really accept its existence. Well, guess what? Death is real and it is here all around us.
As Christians, we live unto the Lord and die unto the Lord. Romans 14:8 says, "If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." When people live outside of Christ, are they living to begin with, or are they in bondage to sin, in debt to sin and at enmity with God because of their sin that lives in their heart? God considers them to have an evil heart when they are outside of a personal loving relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are co-heirs with Christ. Romans 8:16, 17 tell us this: "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are God's children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory." Something to look at is we are heirs and co-heirs with Christ in the kingdom of heaven of God Almighty. Why would anyone want to miss out on the glorious privilege of dwelling with Jesus in the Beautiful City of God?
Oh, I know many say, "Hog wash!" Jesus told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them, He said so in John 14:1-4: "Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you with Me, that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place I am going." The way is Jesus Christ, the truth is Jesus Christ, and the life is Jesus Christ. Christians already know the way to the Great House of God where there are many rooms for us. He looks forward to us coming home to be with Him; but if a person doesn't believe that Christ is the way, death will take them in a totally different direction - a direction no person should ever desire. That is eternal condemnation from God and eternal suffering. John 3:18 says, "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." It would be a great thing to be in the kingdom of God rather than suffering in condemnation. When we are in Christ we don't have to worry about death as it says in 1 Corinthians 15:50-57: "I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we will be changed-in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." As Christians, we can say, "O death where is your victory? O death where is your sting?" There isn't any sting for victory. For our peace is in Christ, when He went to the cross for our sins. To set us free, and to be free in Christ is to be free of death that brings condemnation.
My Grandfather Luke always expressed knowing Jesus is important, and having a personal relationship with Christ is what we need, to have Jesus Christ in all we do. We never know when death will come. For my Grandfather, death came in the form of a heart attack, but he knew Jesus, and had a personal relationship with Christ. I know he's with Jesus in the Great House of God.
The question boils down to this: Do you fear death? Are you secure in knowing Christ? Can you truly say, "Where is the sting of death?" Is the Lord knocking on your heart? Let Him in and you can share in the wondrous joys and blessings of Christ and not worry about death. For in Christ, when death comes, we'll be with Jesus in the Great House of God.
(c) 1999 by Pastor Aaron D. Lint
