SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1258

“Do You Fear Death?”

So, teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” – Psalm 90:12; Genesis 3:19

I recall the time when my Dad was battling cancer. One lung had to be removed and, for a time, he appeared to be the picture of health and cancer free. Then it returned with a vengeance. My Dad was in denial at first but as he grew weaker, I believe he accepted it as fact. Tests were done and it was determined to be untreatable, and he was given only a few weeks at most to live. I vividly remember sitting on the edge of his bed to discuss the doctor’s prognosis with him. I still marvel to this day, years later, of his stoic courage in accepting the news. He looked me in the eye, said thank you, and closing his eyes, went back to his nap. He went to be with the Lord a week later.

So, we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord…. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be … at home with the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. – Psalm 73:26

Do you fear death? There are several facets that make up our fear of death.

There is the Fear of the unknown. This is the same fear basis that prevents us from travel and experiencing new things in this life. We like the familiarity of the known and avoid what is unknown out of fear, yet God’s Word makes our eternal destiny known if we will accept His Word by faith.

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? – John 14:2

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. … What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. – 2 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

There is the Fear of pain. We worry that the dying process will be more painful than any illness we have previously experienced.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. – Romans 8:18

Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. – John 14:27

There is Fear of no control. In our pridefulness we erroneously believe we are in control of our life circumstances, and we foolishly do our best to control circumstances to delay our inevitable death.

No man has … power over the day of death. … – Ecclesiastes 8:8

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. – Psalm 139:16

O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! – Psalm 39:4

There is the Fear of leaving others behind. We are concerned about the welfare of our loved ones after we are gone. We are good stewards if we set our house in order and keep it that way because we do not know the time of our passing. We err in thinking too highly of ourselves that we are the provider and protector of our loved ones. The Lord is their provider and protector, and He will not abandon them.

Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. – Psalm 68:5

Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover. – 2 Kings 20:1

Then there is the Fear of hell. Some are uncertain of their eternal destiny and therefore, they fear death.

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. – Romans 10:9-11

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

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. – 1 John 4:18

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life. – John 5:24

In Summary: The fear of death can rob you of the abundant, victorious life you can have in your short time on this earth. This fear comes from the enemy of your soul, the devil, and you need not succumb to his lies.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. – John 10:10

Death is not something to be feared for the Christian, child of God, born again by the Holy Spirit, and clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  Death is New Life. It is a simple transition – going home to be with our Father and Lord for eternity.

Come to Jesus and fear no more.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:55-57