How do you say anything good about death itself? As soon as we
are born we are on our journey to the grave (Psa 51:5; Rom 5:12), making life very
short, indeed. Life is likened to a vapor that is here for a moment then vanishes
away (1 Chr 29:15, ESV; Psa 90:10; Jas 4:14). And how many do we know who
vanished in less than a moment; a life cut short, or was it? When we were young we were invincible and then in a
flash, like a vapor, we are feeling the vulnerabilities of old age, sustaining
the disrespects from youth! Memories fade over
time, and there is no remembrance after death, living under the sun (Eccl 2:16;
9:5).
Since death is appointed, there is no guarantee of a full life (Heb 9:27). Aging is loathed because it is a grim reminder of inevitability (Eccl 12:1-2, 3, 4, 5, 6-7); we will keep that appointment, never being late, never being early, but right on time with a haunting precision that says we have no control in the matter. No one cheats death; it is appointed by God Himself.
I hate death. Sorrow, suffering, and separation are its offerings. It tears at the heart because of its permanence and cannot be remedied. It can leave us in a wake of coldness, loneliness, and stupor, seeking to turn us bitter in the circumstances. Death intentionally pulls out in front of us with little to no warning as we travel down the road of life, and we plow headlong into its invisible formidable power. Survivors are left in a state of shock that insulates them from comfort or closure, and there is a caravan of endless regrets.
Since death is appointed, there is no guarantee of a full life (Heb 9:27). Aging is loathed because it is a grim reminder of inevitability (Eccl 12:1-2, 3, 4, 5, 6-7); we will keep that appointment, never being late, never being early, but right on time with a haunting precision that says we have no control in the matter. No one cheats death; it is appointed by God Himself.
I hate death. Sorrow, suffering, and separation are its offerings. It tears at the heart because of its permanence and cannot be remedied. It can leave us in a wake of coldness, loneliness, and stupor, seeking to turn us bitter in the circumstances. Death intentionally pulls out in front of us with little to no warning as we travel down the road of life, and we plow headlong into its invisible formidable power. Survivors are left in a state of shock that insulates them from comfort or closure, and there is a caravan of endless regrets.
Of all the causation of death over the history of mankind, you would
think that we would be used to it by now, but we are troubled by it for it is
upfront and personal. It’s difficult to be objective when it has or going to
hit close to home. But our causation of demise remains uncertain; going in our
sleep is fanciful but we have no choice in the matter of how or when we will go.
So, we are left wondering when our “accident” will happen. We know we will have a collision with death one
day, and try not to think about it until then…. It’s a morbid thought pushed back as far
as possible in the recesses of our minds.
No one likes funeral homes or graveyards, but the reminders of death are inescapable, reminding us that our day will come. The axiom of death is that it is never a matter of if but when. No cosmetic surgery can turn back the clock on the organs, but I have to agree with my grandfather that new paint on an old barn doesn’t hurt! Might as well go looking good!
No one likes funeral homes or graveyards, but the reminders of death are inescapable, reminding us that our day will come. The axiom of death is that it is never a matter of if but when. No cosmetic surgery can turn back the clock on the organs, but I have to agree with my grandfather that new paint on an old barn doesn’t hurt! Might as well go looking good!
I hate death; I hate it with every ounce of my being for the
brokenness it inflicts on the heart, the body, and the soul. Oh, the countless tears
that rain down like a deluge that will not sweep away the pain or hurt or bury
it beneath the depths of sorrow, but stays afloat like the ark in Noah’s day,
and we find ourselves carried away to another place after things subside. Death
will take us there if we let it. It is said that time is a healer, but time
seems to drag its heels in the wake of death!
I know that as believers we do not sorrow as those without hope
(Eph 2:12; 1 Thess 4:13), and we should not for that would bring our beliefs
into question. But death has a way of putting that to the test; does it not! I
hate death for it has but one delight – the final touches on pain and suffering.
Its darkness is as dark as being buried, a deep darkness of the
soul separated from the living.
Oh, death, I hate you as a warrior with a wielded sword; though
I know a thousand blows would not vanquish you. If you were but flesh I would strike the “life” from you, but it is sin
that keeps you alive and given birth to you (Gn 2:17; 2 Cor 10:4). So death
has come upon all men because we have all sinned (Rom 5:12). It remains
untouchable, and its cravings are undenied (Prov 27:20; Hab 2:5).
Death, for the natural man (Jude 1:19; 1 Cor 2:14), is the sum
of all fears for it brings with it eternal punishment and separation (Rom
6:23a). Deny it he or she may, but accept it he or she will. For the supernatural
man (Rom 6:23b; 8:9; 1 Cor 2:12) death is like a bee without its stinger –
“‘O DEATH, WHERE IS
YOUR STING? O HADES, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?’ The sting of death is sin,
and the strength of sin is the law” (1 Cor 15:55-56).
The man without
Christ gets the stinger, but the man with Christ gets the honey!
“But thanks be
to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 15:57;
cf. Rom 8:37).
Through the death
of Christ, we have the victory over the second death which is eternal separation
from God after this life (Rom 5:17; 6:23b; 2 Cor 5:21). Now, we may die
physically (Rom 5:12), barring the rapture, but the blessed words of Paul come
to mind and bring great comfort to my soul,
“…to be absent from the body and to be present
with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8).
I hate death; I
hate it with perfect hatred. We brought it on ourselves didn’t we and unleashed
its fury –
“for in the day
that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Gn 2:17b).
Can we hate
something we are to blame for? Such a question I leave to the philosophers and theologians, but
I don’t have to like death one bit! I know I cannot blame God for that which I was
warned not to do. I know God didn’t like death making its entrance into the
world. He warned us of it for crying out loud! But God in His mercy didn’t walk
away and leave us in such a pitiful state; He did something about death which
we could not by providing a way of escape from the penalty of the second death,
a spiritual death of eternal separation from God and everlasting punishment for
the penalty of sin. He would dispatch His Son out of agape love one day for you and for
me (Jn 3:16). Here is the undeniable, unfathomable grace that took the initiative in our helplessness,
“But God
demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8; cf. 2 Cor 5:21).
God’s provision of
skins for a covering for Adam and Eve foreshadowed the substitutionary death of
Christ for our sin (Gn 3:21). It was the first mention of the physical death of an
animal after the fall of man, followed by the first human death (Gn 4:8). Death
has played havoc on every living thing ever since. I thank you, dear Jesus, for
not leaving me holding on to sin living life under the sun only to vanish away without hope.
I think it is well for
us to ponder on how dark and deep death goes leading to the very pit of hell
for mankind. Was it not for grace the lake of fire would have been our destiny. If we who are believers should miss the rapture, our souls will go up to heaven thanks to Jesus, not
like those who do not have the Holy Spirit and plummet to the depths of hell after physical death. Does
this sound abrasive? Well, it is because it is an abrasive and stark spiritual reality
if you believe in the authority of the Scriptures (Jn 3:18; 8:24; 2 Tim 3:16-17).
We who are in
Christ should no longer fear death though I can honestly say I am not altogether
comfortable about the possibility of dying. I would prefer dodging the coffin scene and being caught up in
the rapture instead (1 Thess 4:16-17). I still dread visitations, funeral homes, and
graveyards, particularly if the deceased never knew Christ; the greatest
tragedy is someone stepping out into eternity without Him. Such a service is a complete downer; I hate it, but it does remind me of my personal responsibility to walk the talk (Gal 5:25) and be a faithful witness (Acts 1:8; Mt 28:18-19, 20).
Attending the funeral home and graveyard services is completely different for those who have passed away in Christ. Though there is sadness, there is a celebration of homegoing. This departing has no stinger, only honey to come. Hating death and loving souls are passions we should never lose sight of as we serve the Lord for we know of the terrible judgment to come for those without Christ in the world!
If you hate death as much as I do, what are we doing about it as followers of Christ? There is only one Person you and I know of who can remove the stinger of eternal death and provide the honey of eternal life. The burden of eternal separation is removed and the blessings follow the child of God. Living life and witnessing to others is foundational to the Christian walk. It is a call for us to be salt and light in the world. We need to tell others about the stinger (eternal separation) and the honey (eternal togetherness). For us who believe, there is no stinger only honey. <><
Attending the funeral home and graveyard services is completely different for those who have passed away in Christ. Though there is sadness, there is a celebration of homegoing. This departing has no stinger, only honey to come. Hating death and loving souls are passions we should never lose sight of as we serve the Lord for we know of the terrible judgment to come for those without Christ in the world!
If you hate death as much as I do, what are we doing about it as followers of Christ? There is only one Person you and I know of who can remove the stinger of eternal death and provide the honey of eternal life. The burden of eternal separation is removed and the blessings follow the child of God. Living life and witnessing to others is foundational to the Christian walk. It is a call for us to be salt and light in the world. We need to tell others about the stinger (eternal separation) and the honey (eternal togetherness). For us who believe, there is no stinger only honey. <><
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