Are You Afraid to Die?
Robert Wayne La Coste
Hereford, Texas
There are many uncertainties of life. Quite well was this idea expressed by the Apostle James when he said: "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow." (James 4:14) But yet there is one aspect of life that is a certainty and that is death! There is not one alive that would deny the same, and the Hebrew writer expressed this idea when he stated: "It has been appointed unto man once to die, and then the judgment." (Hebrews 9: 27)
In relationship to this topic, ask yourself the question that we have proposed in the title! There are many reasons why individuals are afraid to die. (1) They know not what lies beyond death. (2) They know and are afraid to think about it, not wanting to give up various things in this life. (3) They know, but do not care, for they live for today. And how we could go on!
If you are afraid to die, only you know the real reason! But I believe that it would be safe to assume that you do not have the relationship with God that you should have! One that has obeyed God through the Gospel of His Son looks forward to death, for these people realize that it is this media which brings them to eternal happiness: "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ which is far better!" (Phil. 1:21-24)
DEATH was a common theme of New Testament writers. You will find that in each case they mentioned death, they spoke of it as an event which was considered a privilege and they looked forward to it with earnest expectation! "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him." (2 Tim. 2:11)
There then is no doubt that the reason they looked forward to death was because they knew they had a covenant relationship with the Father. On the other hand there are those which do not have this relationship, and may I point out that YOU HAVE EVERY REASON TO BE AFRAID I WHY?? If for no other reason because "ALL spiritual blessings are in Christ Jesus." (Eph. 1:3) But the reasons go so much deeper than that. When Jesus comes again He will come for three distinct purposes! (1) To receive the obedient unto Himself, that where He is, there they may be also. (John 14:1-3) (2} To take vengeance on them that know not God and that obeyed not the Gospel of Christ. (2 Thess. 1:7-10) (3) To judge the world in righteousness--rendering unto every man according to his works. (2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 2:23) (Obviously, the purpose of such a judgment is to separate the righteous from the unrighteous -- Matt. 25:32)
You are right now either in one category or the other. You are IN Christ, or you are outside of Christ! You know which, and in being in that category which leaves you outside of Christ, you can see from the scriptural proof offered that you have every reason to be afraid!
STOP being afraid! Render your obedience to the gospel of Christ. Go then through life being faithful unto God to death, and I can assure you that you too shall look forward to death, which shall take you to the home of God! Who could ask for more than that??
TRUTH MAGAZINE XIV; 47, p. 7
October 8, 1970
