You don't have to look far to find bad things about death. A mere drive by a cemetery may remind you that there is a 100 percent mortality rate just because you're human. A quick scan through a historical almanac shows you that even the greatest, richest and most beautiful will breathe a final breath. Mention of the Twin Towers or a roadside bomb in Iraq can fill you with sobering thoughts of the fearsome side of death. Somehow, death goes against the very fiber of your being.
So, is there anything good about death? How does God want us to view this inevitable attack?Receive
To look intelligently at death's good side requires you to believe what the Bible says about death, and that you know the Savior who died to free you from its grasp. Death, for an unbeliever, may free him or her from the pain of the moment--but it leads only to an eternity of further suffering, loss and remorse.Jesus never skirted the subject of death or its consequences, and He made some personal promises that are backed up by His deity.
In John 11:25-26 (ESV) you can read: "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'"
Reflect
Wouldn't you like to know some of the "good side of death"? Here are some Bible references. Find each of them and look for the corresponding promise below in the bulleted statements. (They are not in the same order.)Luke 20:36
Romans 6:5
1 Corinthians 15:26
1 Corinthians 15:54-55
Philippians 1:21
Revelation 2:11
Revelation 21:4
Revelation 20:6
Psalm 73:24
Psalm 116:8-9
Psalm 116:15
Romans 8:38-39
Philippians 3:20-21
2 Corinthians 5:8
When you, as a Christian, die:
- You cannot die again and will be resurrected.
- Your death will bring gain.
- You will not be hurt by the second death.
- You will be imperishable, immortal and victorious.
- You will be united with Jesus in a resurrection like His.
- Your tears will be wiped away and there will be no mourning or crying or pain anymore.
- You will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
- Your death will be precious in God's sight.
- You will be at home with the Lord.
- You will have seen the last enemy, death, destroyed.
- You will share in the first resurrection.
- Nothing whatever can separate you from the love of God including death.
- Your body will be transformed into a body like His glorious body.
- God will receive you to glory.
Respond
Prepare for your next Bible Minute lesson by reading all of John 11. Write down the things you learn about death from that chapter. If you're a believer, thank the Lord for the sure promises He has given you. If you have not yet trusted Christ and wonder how to know Him, go to the "Meet Jesus" page, and ask the Lord to show you how to be a partaker in the good side of death.
Back To The Bible MinistriesMy Comments: When ones considers the alternative how can there be another choice? Yet many make that choice daily. They make the choice to die and not have ever lasting joyous life.
When we choose life in Christ and to have him in us we choose to live forever. That is a beautiful thing. I shudder to think of those poor souls who have chosen not to accept Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and have chosen not to follow Him and thereby they have chosen not to accept eternal life with Him.
Sometimes we delude ourselves into thinking as long as we go to church or follow a way of living that harms no one than we will receive the gift of eternal life. Or we tell ourselves as long as we live a good life or .... Well none of those things will give us eternal life. Christ said, "Unless you are born again..." That means accepting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Trusting in Him, receiving His righteousness, going to the Father through the Son of God. When we receive we are born again.
So simple yet many do not take what the Savior offers so freely. Friend do you want to live in heaven with the Father forever? If so confess your sins to the Father and accept the gift Jesus gave for all so none need never taste of death.
Abba I pray all who read this will give their lives to you by accepting the Sacrifice of your Son Jesus Christ so they may live eternally with You. Thank You Father for Your loving kindness in giving us this recourse when we are such sinners and a stench in Your nostrils. Yet when we accept Your Son Jesus as our Savior we become as a beautiful fragrance. Give us knowledge and understanding of Your Word and help us to grow in all You have for us to do. Let all we do bring You praise and glory. Amen
Rebishka
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