Today I’d like to have a conversation on a topic that virtually no one wants to talk about. It’s time for a frank discussion about death.

Let’s begin with its nature and consequences.  In plain terms, death is the cessation of all bodily functions.  Death separates the non-physical part of a person’s being (a.k.a. the soul), from the body.  Death brings an end to worldly passions, plans and preoccupations. Death severs all ties with the living, cutting off interaction and contact with the deceased.

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”  (Ecclesiastes 12:7)

“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.  Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.”  (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6)

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”  (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

Death is a stark reality.  It is universal.  It is inevitable.  It can in some cases be postponed or prolonged, but it cannot be prevented.  Death is inescapable.

“Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12)

The power of death is incredible.  It may strike anyone, anytime, anywhere, with or without warning.

“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”  (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

“For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.” (Ecclesiastes 9:12)

Death is utterly beyond our control.

“There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.”  (Ecclesiastes 8:8)

Fear of death and or of what comes after is common among most people who have ever lived. It holds billions captive right now. Jesus of Nazareth died willingly, purposefully, as the key to God’s plan to save us and free us from lifelong fear of death.  Jesus Christ was born in order to die in our place, for our sins:

“…that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”  (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Death fixes the spiritual position of the individual at last breath and seals the fate of each person.

“If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.”  (Ecclesiastes 11:3)

Death had its origins in the rebellion of the first human beings.   God had warned Adam and Eve that physical and spiritual death would be the outcome.  From God’s point of view, physical death is not the greatest tragedy that can befall a human being.  Spiritual death is far worse—the ultimate horror of banishment from God’s presence. Physical and spiritual death are consequences of sin (breaking God’s moral law and failing to keep His royal law of love).  Sin separates us from a holy God.

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”  (Isaiah 59:2)

“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”  (Genesis 3:19)

“Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”  (Genesis 3:23-24)

Both life and death are under God’s ultimate authority and control.  The bad news is that God has the power to cast soul and body into hell:

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

The good news is that God also has the power to raise the body and restore the soul.

“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”  (I Corinthians 15:21-22)

Death brings judgment (accountability before God):

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27)

“For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14)

Everlasting life or everlasting death—which will it be?  Strangely enough, that’s up to you.  God in His love and mercy has actually given you a choice as to what comes after death for you.  Here are the offers on the table at this moment:

Option A: earned punishment for sin and rebellion + eternal separation from God 

Option B: God’s free gift of everlasting life + eternal union with God     

*Note: Option B available for a limited time only.

As you weigh the pros and cons, you may find yourself leaning towards Option B.  To help you decide, here are just a few of the bonus features that come standard on that package:

• Assurance of your salvation
• A personal relationship with God
• The indwelling of the Holy Spirit
• Confident access to the throne of grace
• Every spiritual blessing
• Rule and reign with Jesus in His kingdom
• Divine Rewards for service
• A home in heaven created especially for you
• Reunion with loved ones who die in Christ
• This promise: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”  (Revelation 21:4)

God has made eternal death avoidable for all who trust in Christ.  But you must humble yourself and receive His gift of pardon. Cancel your death.  Live for Jesus.

HOW TO BE SAVED:

• Admit to God that you are a sinner (that you have not kept His moral law to perfection; in your thoughts, words and actions you have done what His law forbids and have failed to do what His love demands).  This is seeing yourself from God’s point of view and agreeing that He is right about you. Be as specific as you can.
• Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and that God raised Him from the dead.
• Sincerely repent (turn away) from your sins, asking God to forgive you and to use His power to help you resist temptation, no matter how strong the pull of sin may be, at first.
• Acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of your life.  Invite Him to move into your heart and take up residence there, so that He can change you from the inside out.

SOME KEY TRUTHS:

• “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  (Romans 3:23)
• “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.”  (Romans 3:10)
• “For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23)
• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  (John 3:16)
• “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)
• “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”  (I Corinthians 15:3,4)
• “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)
• “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him…”  (Revelation 3:20)
• “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  (Romans 10:13)
• “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”  (Romans 10:9)
• “Verily, verily, I say unto you; He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life; and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”  (John 5:24)
• “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, ye might have life through his name.”  (John 20:31) 
• “These things I have written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”  (I John 5:13)