Romans 5:12 - "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the
world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men,
for that all have sinned"
Hebrews 9:27 - "And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment"
DEALING WITH DEATH
Dealing with the reality of death. To grieve over a loved one is natural.
We all have wonderful memories of the others who were in our lives and
it is understandable that we think of and miss those who have died
that were once part of our lives.
As difficult as it is to lose someone we love and care about, we can never
forget that death is part of this journey we are on. The Bible clearly
teaches us that tomorrow is promised to nobody. Probably the hardest thing
about death apart from its finality, is the burning question...why? Why
does a baby, such a precious gift from God get sick and die? Why does a
teenager with so much life yet to live have to die? Why does an accident
suddenly and without warning take the life of a mother or father? Why does
that wonderful grandfather, or loving grandmother have to die? Why does a
good person get sick and have to suffer so much before they die? Why do so
many innocent people die every day from acts of violence, wars, and natural
disasters?
Sadly, there is never a good answer to why? This is why faith in Christ is
so important. It is at those times in our life, when there are more
questions than answers, that our faith MUST BECOME REAL. It is as those
times that we must let our faith become real and trust God. What exactly
does that mean? It means knowing that God is in control at all times.
Nothing happens in this world apart from God allowing it to happen. God did
not create death. Just the opposite. God created man to live forever. It
was MAN that chose death when he sinned. Death became a byproduct of man's
choice and we all inherit that fact of life.
However, because God loves us so much, while we must accept the consequences
of our sin and face death one day, that is merely physical death. By His
grace, He has made a way for us to be eternally with Him if we will repent
of our sins, and accept by faith His Son Jesus Christ into out hearts. THIS
IS HOW WE BECOME VICTORIOUS OVER DEATH! Even though these clay tablets we
occupy during this brief journey may be dead, our soul lives on eternally.
While sin not only destined our bodies to die, it also separated our eternal
soul from God our creator. But God so loved this world, that He sent his
only Son to die on a wooden cross to pay for the sins of all mankind. And
WHOSOEVER believes in Jesus, will not eternally perish, but have LIFE
EVERLASTING!!! THERE IS VICTORY OVER DEATH THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!
If as you read these words, you do not have the assurance that if you died
this very moment you would be eternally with God, than please go to this
link, pray for God to open your heart, and take 2 minutes to read over what
is written www.liveprayer.com/SPlan.html .
I love you and care about you so much. I know many of you will be missing a
loved one or friend during this holiday season. Know that while we will all
one day face death, we live on long after we are gone through the lives of
those we were able to touch along our journey. Your loved one, your friend
lives on through your life! You will live on through those lives you touch!
Death is NOT something we should fear, but an event we should accept. We
must also accept that we don't know when, or how it will happen. We never
know if there will be a tomorrow. That is why I share so often that NOW is
the time. We must not waste the precious time God does give us in this
life. We must not take it for granted, but strive daily to serve and
glorify God the best we can. After all, that is the purpose of this life.
So as you remember your loved ones, your friends that are no longer with you
this Holiday season, never forget that this journey we are on is very short
indeed. Even if you are fortunate enough to live into your 80's and 90's,
the time goes by very quickly. Can you believe there are only 25 days left
in 2001? Make the most of each day, treat it as the precious gift from God
that it is. Do all that you can each day to share His love and hope with
those you encounter. You will be living on through their lives, long after
you are gone from this earth and in your eternal home.
In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller