O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55).
Someone once asked a man of God: “How would you describe the death of a child of God, a believer in Jesus Christ?”
Imagine sitting in your lounge with your wife and kids before a crackling fire during a cold winder’s evening. The children run and play with boisterous joy, giggling and jostling as they go about their fun and games. Soon they grow tired and lay themselves down to sleep on the spot with not a single care in the world, knowing that mom and dad are nearby to watch over therm. Daddy gets up, gently takes them one by one in his arms and carries them to their rooms. The next morning, when they open their eyes, they are greeted by a brilliant shining sun and a new day. So also it is with the children of God. They grow weary of the cares and cold realities of this world and progressively long to be with their LORD. Soon they fall asleep in death. At that very moment, when the saint breathes his/her last breath Jesus carries him/her to His home where they open their eyes to a new life, the real life, where a light a trillion times brighter than the sun greets them with great joy.
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (Revelation 21:23)
In this life there is nothing so near to man than death. We are all going to die some time; exactly when we do not know. However, the question is not when you are going to die but how you are going to die. There are only two alternative ways of dying – IN Christ or IN your sins. Jesus once told the Pharisees: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24). How devastatingly horrible and fearful it must be to die in your sins and yet many people persist in their unbelief. They refuse to embrace the cross of Christ and his shed blood as the only means for their salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18). They pursue other ways and means which seem to be right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12). No wonder the Bible calls such stubbornness and unbelief the mystery of iniquity (2 Thessalonians 2:7) as opposed to the mystery of godliness (1 Timothy 3:16).
Do you long to be with Jesus Christ? Paul of Tarsus longed to be with Him and yet there was a single reason he put forward to remain alive on this earth.
For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity]. If, however, it is to be life in the flesh and I am to live on here, that means fruitful service for me; so I can say nothing as to my personal preference [I cannot choose], But I am hard pressed between the two. My yearning desire is to depart (to be free of this world, to set forth) and be with Christ, for that is far, far better; But to remain in my body is more needful and essential for your sake. (Philippians 1:21-24: Amplified Bible)
The only reason for a child of God to remain on this earth a little longer, even though he may yearn to be with his LORD, is for the sake of those who need to hear the Gospel so that they may be saved. God is presently delaying the promise of the return of His Son, Jesus Christ, so that you who are procrastinating may still have some time to repent and receive Jesus Christ as your only Savior (2 Peter 3:9).
May I ask you? Have you received forgiveness for your sins? Do you have the assurance that when you die you will be dying IN Christ Jesus and not IN your sins?
O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [upon the soul] through [the abuse of] the Law. But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose]. (1 Corinthians 15:55-58).
