A Christian View of Death

For most people, nothing is more frightening than the thought of dying.

Is it the end? Does it hurt? What about eternity? Do we cease to be? What happens when we die? These and a myriad of other questions flood our minds when we contemplate death. Are there answers? The Christian argues that there are. We turn to the Bible for the answers to our most pressing questions. Here we find both comfort and hope.

According to the Bible, death is not frightening.

The Psalmist described it as a “precious” event (Psalm 116:15). God’s people do not face death alone. David wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). The journey is made easier because we do not make it alone. It’s a new road for us, but we travel it with someone who knows the way.

Death, for the Christian, is not foreboding.

It is not a portent of evil. The New Testament speaks of death as victory, not defeat (1 Corinthians 15:57). It is not loss, but gain (Philippians 1:21). It brings rest from our labors and relief from our pain (Revelation 14:13). It is the gateway to a better place (Revelation 22:1-6).

Death is not final.

We do not cease to be when we die. Paul wrote, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1). We are made in the image of our eternal Creator. At death the body returns to the dust from whence it came, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7). In fact, for the Christian, it is not the end but the beginning of a richer, fuller life where all the burdens of life have been lifted and all the obstacles have been removed from our path. It is the beginning of life with God.

I must caution, only as a Christian can we look at death this way.

For those outside of Christ it is both frightening and foreboding. The good news is that you can prepare for death and the life which is to come. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Will you repent of your sins and be baptized that your sins might be washed away by His blood? Will you live for Him daily?

Are you ready to die?

–Roger