Death and Life
I don’t think we really understand life without experiencing the finality of death. My Dad passed away last week and though he had been ill and we were expecting it, the realization that he is really gone feels like a knife has torn into my heart.
If we read the book of Genesis, you will see that God created us to live forever! Death was never a part of His creation. That was why God told Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil “for when you eat of it you will surely die.”
However, Eve was tempted by Satan and decided to eat it for “the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.”
From that point until today, mankind is spiritually dead to God and eventually, physically dead. How much it must pain our Lord who created us in His image only to see us suffer and go through the piercings of death!
In fact, right before Jesus was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, the Bible said, “He wept.” I always wondered why he cried when He knew He was planning on raising him in just a few hours? I believe he wept because death is so awful. So permanent. So final. And so opposite of the beautiful plan that God originally had for mankind.
But all is not lost!!! God in His great love for you and for me brought down to earth His very own son to die in our place and conquer death when God raised Him from the dead. This same power that was shown in Christ is the same power God wants to give to each one of us. We are just to accept this free gift of salvation by believing on God, on His Son and confessing that He is our Lord.
Please pray this verse below if you haven’t already and believe that God sent His Son for you. God wants you to live forever with Him!!
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10
Dear Lane,
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. One of my favorite uncles went to be with the Lord last week as well. For several days before he died, my uncle would lift his head and raise his arms as if he were reaching for God. I am comforted by that. Knowing that he lived a life for the Lord gives me peace because I know that physical death as we know is just the beginning of a new life in Heaven for those you accept Christ. When God calls me home, I will see my uncle again. May peace be with you.
-Paige