I read the other day that 3 people die every second; that is 180/minute, 260 thousand/day 95 million/year. Several have died while you read this sentence. Although death is common to us all, it is feared and dreaded by most people. How about you? Are you afraid to die? I am not afraid of death; however if the Lord sees fit to delay it for a while, I’m in no hurry. Christians believe that death is not a period, but a comma in their life. The Bible refers to death as a “shadow”. Shadows follow us around everywhere and seem harmless enough. Jesus promises that even as we walk through the “valley of the shadow of death”, we should fear not, because our Lord and Savior is with us forever. The Bible tells us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, and that means happy days for the “deceased” Christian.
On the other hand a non-Christian funeral to me is the saddest of events. A non-Christian who is absent from the body is alone in darkness. The Bible describes their state numerous times and it is not pretty. There will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” in this terrible place of torment. Knowing that someone has died and will face judgment alone without the blood of Jesus to atone for their sins is the worst thing that I can imagine. I have attended funerals of avowed non-Christians and although we certainly cannot know their heart for sure, it seems highly likely from their words and actions that they died without having accepted Christ and their living spirit is for certain facing the consequence of their actions at the very time that we are viewing their lifeless shell. It is at times like this that I always think about the possibility of had I or others tried a little harder to win this person over to Jesus would it have made a difference in this person’s eternal life and well-being. This is one reason that I personally take witnessing to my non-Christian friends, acquaintances and even people I meet on airplanes or wherever very seriously. It grieves me greatly to know that some of my friends and even family members might refuse to accept the Lord in spite of everything. I hope that you have this same burden, as the Bible tells us that true Christians should feel this way.
The Bible instructs us to think often of death. So think about it some today. Think not only of your own death, but of those whom you love and of those whom you know. Approximately 260 thousand people will die today and will face their eternal destiny. Perhaps you will know one of them or perhaps it will be your turn. Do what you can to ensure that you and those whom you know and love have had an opportunity to hear about God’s plan of salvation and act upon it. We are promised death AND after that the judgment. Judgment without Christ is described best by the Bible itself. Judgment is fearful unless your sins have been erased and forgiven and Jesus is by your side.
Hebrews 10:30
…”The Lord will judge
His people”.
It is a fearful thing to fall into
the hands of the living God.