My heart is heavy this week, as I have been thinking a lot about illness and death. I think part of it is because of my job as a Probate Legal Assistant — I help people administer the estates of their deceased loved ones. Another part of it is hearing from others about their loved ones who are ill, dying, or who have recently passed.
For instance, one of my coworkers was sharing about her boyfriend who had massive heart surgery a few months ago and his health has been declining since. Moreover, I attended a Bible study this past week, where multiple women shared about their families or friends who have terminal illnesses. If that’s not bad enough, every time I have turned on the news or have looked on social media, I’ve discovered news of death, terminal illnesses, kidnappings, etc.
To be clear, I know God cares about our lives, but I do struggle to believe it sometimes. As Christians, we are so often encouraged to have a Kingdom-mindset and to put our hope in the promise of eternal life found in Jesus, which, yes, is definitely what we should do! However, when I am surrounded by stories of pain, suffering, and death, it sometimes leads me to believe that my life that I live now, on this earth, is unimportant to God.
Initially, I wanted to read the story of Lazarus rising from the dead in John 11, to be comforted by the fact that Jesus weeps for his beloved friend who passes away, because I wanted to be reminded that God does, in fact, care about our lives on earth. However, the comfort I received was from the verses reminding me that although I will experience death on earth, I will ultimately live, because of the eternal life that is promised for those who believe in Jesus Christ.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28 ESV
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11: 25-26 ESV
Death is often terrifying and many people try to avoid thinking or worrying about it and many others do whatever they can to try to delay it. As a Christian, I know I should not be allowing it to bother me as much as it has been. I say this because I believe that though I will die, I will live.
At the end of John 11:26, Jesus asks Martha if she believes this truth. I read it and read it again and then read it a third time and tears came to my eyes because, in that moment, I understood what I had been doubting. All the fear, anxiety, and sadness I have been feeling and carrying within me was released and I felt seen and comforted by God.
Another passage addressing death is 1 Thessalonians 4. In this passage, Paul reminds the church in Thessalonica, that as believers, we should not grieve as those who have no hope. “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). This message is filled with comfort and hope for believers. We know, that those who pass away before Jesus returns, will be reunited with Him.
Our Father, in Heaven, is a loving and merciful God who sent His own son to die for us, so that in Him, we shall be saved and inherit eternal life (John 3:16). I don’t believe that we will ever fully understand the depth of the mercy behind the sacrifice that was made to atone for our sins and to satisfy God’s righteous judgement — and most people, sadly, don’t even believe in it to begin with.
Main Point: For those who believe in the resurrection and life, found only in Jesus, we have HOPE!
So, we have this hope after death, but what about the life we are currently living? Does it matter to God? Yes, it does.
1. God is the creator and sustainer of life and He makes every single human, in His image (Genesis 1:27). Not only that, but we are also:
- Precious in His sight (Isaiah 43:4).
- Fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 13-14)
Core belief: God created us and He unfathomably values and loves each individual.
2. Furthermore, God has a plan for your life.
I believe that if He did not care about our lives, then He would not have included all the ordinances, instructions, and encouragements on how to live a fulfilling and prosperous life that are found throughout the entire Bible. The verses below, I believe, affirm this as well.
- “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we may walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
- “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” (Psalm 138:8)
- “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
3. Lastly, God does not desire that any person shall perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
What is repentance? From what I have personally experienced and have come to learn, it simply involves turning away from sin and turning to God. It also involves seeking forgiveness for your sins and recognizing your need for a savior. You cannot merely believe in God, but you must believe that Jesus was sent by God, as your savior, to pay the penalty for your sin. It is only through the blood of Jesus, we are saved.
For these reasons, those who are saved should not live in fear of death. Death is a stepping stone to eternal life. Further, we can trust the will of God, as we put our hope in Him and trust His steadfast, unwavering love for His people.
“…the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love” Psalm 147:11 ESV
My Prayer: Father, thank you for sending your son, so that all who believe in His name, can inherit eternal life. I ask that you help us remember this every day and to not take it for granted. Father, I want to be used by you to share this wonderful hope with the people you have placed in my life, so that they too, do not have to fear death. Father, I pray for courage and boldness and I pray that you would give me opportunities to share this good news with those who have yet to receive it. I also pray for peace and comfort for the people who have shared with me the sufferings that they and their loved ones are experiencing. Father, please comfort, heal, and give them all peace. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Thank you for reading and have a blessed day,
Olivia Mack (:
Liv(e)forChrist 