Confidence in Death

But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge. – Ps 94:22

In 1Th 4:13, Paul counsels the Brethren not to react to death “as others who have no hope.” Many a Believer’s perception of Death is still a carryover from their Old Man nature. Yet Rom 8:2 says that, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death.”

Death has a sting. It goes beyond the spectre of pain or loss; there’s a deeper reason man lives in full terror of death. This dread is an anthropologically proven fact; all cultures from everywhere in all of history live in fear of Death.

The source of this fear may be philosophised and theorised by sociocultural scholars and anthropologists. But the Scriptures say the source of that fear is Sin! 1Co 15:56 says it plainly: “THE STING OF DEATH IS SIN.”

Therefore, for a Believer whose sins have been forgiven to still quiver and tremble before death is a sign of ignorance of the salvation principle, or what death actually means. And of course, you can be sure that the Devil will exploit that ignorance to full effect. And one way he does that is through the dread of judgment – exactly the way he used to do it before salvation.

Beloved, of what value is the salvation experience if it doesn’t settle something as fundamental as Heaven? Christ is our defence and shelter on the Day of Judgement, (John 3:18, Rom 4:7-8; 5:1; 8:1).

If you’ve not settled that matter in your heart and still live in constant anxiety for your eternal fate were you to die today, I recommend that you make this (death-themed) Sinner’s Prayer from the last stanza of Rev Toplady’s timeless hymn. Say this prayer to Christ, your “Rock of Ages” today:

“While I draw this fleeting breath,

When mine eyes shall close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown,

See Thee on Thy judgement throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee.

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN