(Don’t Fear) The Reaper
“Seasons don’t fear the Reaper, nor do the wind, sun, or the rain, we can be like they are…” -- Blue Oyster Cult.
Why the world should fear death
Why should the world fear death? Because they have no hope (Romans 8:5-7). After they die, they have nothing. Atheists for example – in their mind, after they die, that’s it. In Luke 16:19-31, we see an example off Hell. At least to me, that’s proof that there’s life after death. This should terrify us. I feel that’s part of why the world is so messed up. We have ignored the punishment of sin. That’s why Hellfire sermons are so important these days. 2nd Peter 3:1-13 backs this up.
Why Christian’s shouldn’t fear death
It’s all because we have God. In God, we have life. In 1st Cortinthians 15:55, we see what our thought process should be as Christians. Death is obviously a sad thing, of course, but if the deceased are a faithful Christian, then we really have nothing to worry about. God has brought them to Heaven. And really, that’s one reason why being a Christian is so important. Take a look at Psalm 116:15, it says “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” To be honest, I needed help understanding this verse. But what I think it means is that God wants His saints to go to Heaven.
The Coming Death
Joseph Barry
Take a look at Luke 16:19-31. This should scare us. If we aren't right with God -- we are not getting into Heaven. Death shouldn't be scary for us, unless we aren't ready.
Genesis 3:19 says "By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, til you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
Death comes to us all. For those without Christ and those who have fallen away it is the end. When they die, they lose their chance of ever being right with God. That’s why we teach our children. Take a look at Deuteronomy 6:6-9. When we teach our children, they can stick with it when they are adults.
Here’s the reality: The thing is, we don’t know when we will die. That is part of the scariness of it. That is why being baptized and being a strong Christian is important. God expects the best from His children.
Colossians 3:23 says “Whatever you do, do heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
Preparing for Death
We all die -- that's the result of sin (Genesis 3:17-19). Christians need to be sure they are in-line with the Bible before we die. Take a look at Ecclestiastes 12:13 and 1st John 2:3-6. We need to be sure that we are following God. We can say we do -- but do we? It's important that we stay vigilant. If we don't, we die. It isn't a physical death, but a Spritual death, which should be more terrifying. But the thing is -- to most people -- it isn't. As Christians, we don't need to be like that. A Spritual death is waaay more terrifying, because God can send us to Hell. Humans can only kill the body (verse).
The Coming Death
Take a look at Luke 16:19-31. This should scare us. If we aren't right with God -- we are not getting into Heaven. Death shouldn't be scary for us, unless we aren't ready.
Genesis 3:19 says "By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, til you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
Death comes to us all. For those without Christ and those who have fallen away it is the end. When they die, they lose their chance of ever being right with God. That’s why we teach our children. Take a look at Deuteronomy 6:6-9. When we teach our children, they can stick with it when they are adults.
Here’s the reality: The thing is, we don’t know when we will die. That is part of the scariness of it. That is why being baptized and being a strong Christian is important. God expects the best from His children.
Colossians 3:23 says “Whatever you do, do heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
Have you come to terms with your mortality? Once we die, we have had our chance to be saved from our sins. Whether we take that chance is up to us.
Acts 2:38 says: "Repent every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
If we aren't baptized in our lifetime, we cannot go to Heaven. God does not tolerate sin.
Ecclesiasties 12:13 says:"The end of the matter, all has been heard. Fear God and Keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
It is our job to obey God. Take a look at Matthew 25:14-30. How can we grow our talents without being a Christian?