Do Not Fear Death

Nearly 2,000 years ago Paul famously penned the words, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain,” in his letter to a church in Philippi located in what is now northern Greece.  The point he was making was that he saw great advantage in death, because in dying he would actually experience gain by leaving this world to be with Jesus. Yet, at the same time he also recognized that living also had great benefit in that it allowed him to continue to work with the church in Europe so that it would grow in joy and faith.  In short Paul did not mind if he lived or died because of his faith in Jesus.

Paul as painted by Rembrandt
(He probably did not actually look like this.)

These were words he had lived out in the presence of the very church he was writing to.  While in Philippi Paul was unfairly arrested and beaten without trial in a way that was in direct conflict with even the brutal laws of the Roman Empire.  He literally faced the possibility of death in Philippi as he did many other times throughout his life and ministry in advancement of the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  It was a ministry that would indeed eventually cost him his life.

Paul really believed.  He really believed that Jesus died for his sins and that through faith in Him, he not only had forgiveness of sins but access to God.  Anyone who believes this need not fear death because death brings the believer into the presence of Christ.  Anyone who really believes also sees great advantage in life as well, as it gives the believer yet another day to live for Jesus.

If you have ever been around someone in such despair that they want to die you likely noticed that their sense of sorrow is so palpable that it is oppressive to people who merely come into their presence.  They are in such a state of depression that they bring down everyone around them.

If you have ever been around someone afraid of death, you probably noticed something similar, though rather than overpowering sadness you sense their persistent anxiety.  Neither position is healthy, and they both seem in conflict with each other.  One wants to die, and the other fears death to the point where they cannot live.

Yet a christian who truly believes can simultaneously not want to die and want to die without conflict between the two positions.  Not only that, they can live in great joy while maintaining both stances.  I can tell you through first-hand experience that this seaming paradox is a great place to live.  To live life without fear of death is liberating.

The fear of death is very potent these days.  It is a fear that I would very much understand if I did not believe in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus.

Yet I do not fear it because I believe that Jesus has already gone through death for me.  He took my sins and yours upon Himself and paid the price for all the evil we have done.  He then conquered death through his resurrection, and it is a resurrection that we will all eventually partake in if we believe.  Just as he told a first century peasant woman named Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies.”

As you look around at the world today, perhaps you are afraid that death waits for you just outside your door.  Perhaps the thought of dying terrifies you so much that you are afraid to live.  I urge you to put your trust in Jesus.  Because of Him, you need not fear death, and you can live a life of joy.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” -Jesus (John 3:16)