Death
This week, we were reminded once again that death is a reality for all of us. And it’s probably going to come sooner than we think. Two long-time members of our church passed away. While they were seniors, we also tragically lost a young man who has been active in our high school youth group. He and his family are long-time friends of our church, wonderful people, and they did not see this coming. I can’t imagine their grief right now.But it’s got me thinking about death. Thinking about death can be a good thing, if it doesn’t become an obsession. Dr. Nelson Bell said, “Only those who are prepared to die are really prepared to live.”I can’t think of anything in life more important to be prepared for, than our death. This life is so very short. The next is forever.So…in the middle of our grief over the loss of people we care about, let’s consider. These three that I referenced, they were all ready for this day. That young man had no idea that it was coming, but he knew Christ, he was ready. Are you?The Scriptures are very clear when it comes to being ready. Jesus’ best friend, John, wrote, “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11–12 NIV). Jesus himself said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25 NIV).That’s how you prepare. It’s the only way you can prepare. Jesus took care of your eternity, and knowing and following him is the only way you can be ready for death. He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NIV).When Jesus died, he died for you to unload from you your burden of sin, and remove it from separating you from God. He rose again from the dead to give you his eternal life, that was secured in his resurrection. If you attach yourself to Jesus, in faith, you receive his eternal life, and you can be assured of heaven. The Apostle Paul gave this great promise when talking about Jesus' death and resurrection and what it accomplished, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13 NIV).It is right for us to grieve the loss of loved ones. It’s also right to use this time to prepare ourselves for that inevitable day. If you are not yet ready, please, get yourself ready. Call on him in faith today, and receive for yourself the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23).