Death Will Be No More

Death Will Be No More

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
 “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.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:55-58 (ESV)

The hardest thing about life is death.  Not necessarily our own, but seeing it around us.  Whether it is from sickness, malicious acts, accidents, or even old age; death is always a tragedy.  The reason death is so tragic is, contrary to popular thought, is that it is unnatural.  Man was not made to die, and there is always something in the market to delay this.  Diets, exercise, supplements, behavior patterns; none of these are bad in themselves, but they only suspend an inevitable result.

Perhaps the worst part about death, and the most unnatural, is that it is self-inflicted.  Romans 5:12 states, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.”  Before our first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned, the plan was that they would live forever in paradise because sin was not around them, they were perfect.  The plan was for them to be in community with God, but their pride severed that relationship and brought sickness and death.  They released something that no human power could contain.  Adam and Eve grew old and died.  We will die, it is unavoidable.

But, there is hope.  Although we may physically die, those who believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ will live in paradise forever. Through His death, our sins are forgiven; by His resurrection, He defeated death.  Even though we screwed up, it really did not ruin God’s ultimate plan.  Through His sovereignty, He will still have community with His children in paradise.  It may not be right now, but it will happen.  This is our hope, that when we will pass from our physical bodies, we will be free from pain, suffering, misery, and hear from our Father, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  That is why the hardest part of life can give us the greatest joy.