THE THOUGHT OF DEATH!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2023.

SUBJECT: THE THOUGHT OF DEATH!

Memory verse: “In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death." (Proverbs 12 vs 28.)

READ: Psalm 49 vs 10 - 14:

49:10: For he sees wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

49:11: Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

49:12: Nevertheless man, though in honor does not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.

49:13: This is the way of those who are foolish, and of their posterity who approve their sayings.

49:14: Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling.

INTIMATION:

Death is used in the Scripture to denote (a) the separation of the soul (the spiritual part on man) from the body (the material body), the latter ceasing to function and turning to dust. It also means the separation of man from God. Adam died on the day he disobeyed God (Genesis 2 vs 17), and hence all mankind are born in the same spiritual condition (Romans 5 vs 12), from which, however, those who believe in Christ are delivered (John 5 vs 24; First John 3 vs 14). Death, in whichever of the above mentioned senses used in Scripture, is always viewed as the penal consequence of sin, and since sinners alone are subject to death. 

God, in His infinite mercy, love, and kindness, made a way for us in Jesus Christ—His only Son—whom He sent as a propitiation for our sins. Those who believed in atonement of sin by Jesus Christ for the world, and have so confessed Him as their Savior and Lord over their lives are known as “Believers.” Those who do not believe are called “Unbelievers.” To those who don’t believe in God, life on earth is all there is, and will strive to live to the fullest. Therefore, it is natural for them to strive for the world’s values: money, popularity, power, pleasure, and prestige. 

While unbelievers fear death, and are victims of life, swept along by its current and wondering if there is meaning to it, believers can use life well because they understand its true purpose. For believers, however, death holds no terrors because Christ has conquered all fears (see First John 4 vs 18). Death is only the beginning of eternal life with God. Every person must die, but death is not the end; instead, It is the doorway to a new life—eternal life with Christ or eternal condemnation with Satan and his cohorts. 

For many death is a darkened door at the end of their lives, a passageway to an unknown and feared destiny. But for God’s people, death is a bright doorway to a new and better life, it is just another step in the continuing eternal life we began when we started to follow Him. 

Many people avoid thinking about death, refuse to face it, and are reluctant to even attend funerals. Though it is not encouraging to think morbidly, but it is helpful to think clearly about death. It reminds us that we still have time to change, time to confess our sins and find forgiveness from God. Because everyone will eventually die, it makes sense to plan ahead to experience God’s mercy rather than His justice.

Because life is uncertain, we should follow Jesus who offers us eternal comfort. As believers, we can be secured that God will not forget us when we die. He will bring us to life again to live with Him forever. This provides real security. The psalmist says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116 vs 15.) God stays close to us even in death. Believers are precious to God, and He carefully chooses the time when they will be called into His presence. Let this truth provide comfort when death knocks on the door. God sees, and each life is valuable to Him. (See Jesus’ statement in Matthew 10 vs 29.) 

However, for believers, like the apostle Paul—our role model—to live means to develop eternal values and to tell others about Christ, who alone could help them see life from an eternal perspective. Paul’s whole purpose in life was to speak out boldly for Christ and become more like Him. He said, “According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1 vs 20- 21.)

Therefore, Paul could confidently say that dying would be even better than living, because in death he would be removed from the worldly troubles, and he would see Christ face to face (First John 3 vs 2 - 3). If you’re not ready to die, then you’re not ready to live. Make certain of your eternal destiny; then you will be free to serve—devoting your life to what really counts, without fear of death.

All of us have one similarity. When we die, we leave all we own here on earth. At the moment of death (and all of us will face that moment), we are naked and empty-handed before God. The only things we have at that time are those we have already invested in our eternal heritage. At the time of death, each of us will wish we had invested less on earth, where we must leave it, and more in heaven, where we will retain it forever. To have treasure in heaven, we must place our faith in God, pledge ourselves to obey Him, and utilize our resources for the good of His kingdom. The choice is yours!

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the wisdom and knowledge of my inheritance in Christ as a believer, being conscious of the fact that my life on earth determines my life in eternity with Him, and give me grace to live here on earth with eternity consciousness, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!