On Mortality

There are many potential fears to have, some silly, some profound.  One of the most common, I believe, is the fear of death.  Perhaps you do not fear death, perhaps you would if threatened, it is difficult to predict.  However, none can deny the reality.

Unfortunately, death is not only inevitable, but unpredictable.  Both aspects of this have been explored:  defeating death through medicine, technology or magic, and knowing the future and how you will die, probably because of this fear of death—the final frontier.  At the same time, sacrificing life is considered the “ultimate sacrifice.”  What reason is there for that, except the fear of death?

Unfortunately, I cannot help but fear death as well.  I have tried to overcome this, but without fail, the perception of real danger brings my immediate response for self-preservation.  This is normal, so why does it bother me?

To many, death is the end, or else a vast unknown.  It is difficult to think beyond the physical world, and what is there to see?  But I believe in a resurrected God.  Christ faced death head on, fought it and won.  Now he offers this victory to us:  “I write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life”  (1 John 5:13).

This is the issue then; my trust is in the Lord, the Son of God who died in my place and was resurrected in a glorious victory over the grave.  Not only did he pay the price for my life, but then he returned to prove his conquest and cement the faith of his followers.  I need not fear death any longer, because I will never have to taste that pain.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There is no longer any room in my life for fear.  “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).  My fear is an indicator of my imperfection, but this is something that I no longer need to hold on to.  In fact, I cannot retain it any longer if I seek to grow in Christ.

What is left then?  If Christ has beaten out death then the end of my time on earth is simply the beginning of my time with Him!  “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Just do it.

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).