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We do not like to talk about topics on, “death”. In fact, we try to avoid the subject as much as possible. But in recent weeks there has been an emphasis on death due to the Coronavirus. We are told that death is natural and we must be prepared to deal with it. What is the meaning of death? How can Christian faith help us relate to those who are dying? We cannot “practice” dying, but it is important that we be prepared for death, in the spirit of Psalm 90:
“So, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom
People die because of what is called the” original sin” the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God had warned the first couple that transgressing His law would result in their death (Genesis 2:17) and that is what happened. “The wages of sin are death” (Romans 6:23a). So "Do we have an appointed time of death?"
The Bible tells us that “all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16). So, yes, God knows exactly when, where, and how we will die. God knows absolutely everything about us (Psalm 139:1-6). So, does this mean our fate is sealed? Does this mean we have absolutely no control over when we will die? The answer is both yes and no, depending on the perspective.
The answer is "yes" from God’s perspective because God is all-seeing—He knows everything and knows exactly when, where, and how we will die. Nothing we can do will change what God already knows will happen. The answer is "no" from our perspective because we do have an impact on when, where, and how we die. Obviously, a person who commits suicide causes his own death. A person who commits suicide would have lived longer had he not committed suicide. Similarly, a person who dies because of a foolish decision (e.g., drug use, lung cancer from smoking, heart attack due to a lifetime of extremely unhealthy eating and little exercise), “expedites” his or hers’s own death.
Prayer can help us assess ourselves realistically and use our time more effectively. It can also preserve us from overestimating such things as worldly success, happiness, how are we going to pay our bills and youth. By learning to die, we are learning to live. Nothing can better prepare us for death than a life lived in response to the gospel. There are a number of things we can do on a regular basis to prepare ourselves for death, as well as for life. Among them are these:
· Use every moment, hour, and day wisely and be of help to those who are dying
· Allow time for work, planning, conversation, bible reflection, play, rest, and sleep
· The New Testament clearly affirms that death is not the end. Those who believe already share in a life that is eternal
· Forgive others and ask them to forgive us
· Give thanks for each day God gives us
· Be reminded of the hope of the resurrection in Christ and the promise of eternal life for those who believe in Jesus Christ
How does this affect our lives practically? We are to live each day for God.
“Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31). Therefore, we owe it to our neighbors to lovingly share with them the good news of the gospel. God’s love is evidenced in us as we communicate this precious gospel and love others as we have been loved. So, call, text a friend today!
James 4:13-15 teaches us, “Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'” We are to make wise decisions about how we live our lives and how we take care of ourselves. And ultimately, we trust God that He is absolute and in control of all things.
I Sing Your Praise All the Day Long, through the follow prayer:
Come, Lord, and cover us with the night Spread Your grace over us as you assured us You would do. Your promises are more than all the stars in the sky; Your mercy is deeper than the night. Lord, it will be cold. The night comes with its breath of death. Night comes, the end comes, but Jesus Christ comes also. Lord, we wait for Him day and night. Jesus is truly the Friend who sticks closer than a brother, and blessed are those who have Him as their Friend
In Jesus Christ, Amen
African Prayer, Fritz Pawelzik
God Bless You and This Ministry!
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