Death Hath Confronted Us

In the last week, I have had two significant conversations about death.
A friend suddenly lost his wife from Covid while recovering from his
own case in the hospital. As we visited, we discussed the truths of 1
Corinthians 15. We cried. We reminisced. We talked about the
importance of family, and we hugged. Most importantly, I prayed for my
friend as he grieved and appealed to Yahweh to comfort him. We also
thanked the Lord for the hope we have for eternity.

Then came one of the most difficult conversations of my life. A friend

was dying of cancer and asked to speak with me. In the past, I have
been with people when they passed into eternity (and right after), but
rarely have I talked with people who knew time on the earthly side was
very limited. We cried. I helped him and his wife write some thoughts
for his children. We prayed, but again we turned to Scripture. You
guessed it—1 Corinthians 15. As of the publication of this article, he will
probably be in the presence of Jesus and the saints.
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 The timeless truths of the resurrection chapter give volumes of hope
during these troubled times.

In my 41 years of ministry, death has never been this prevalent, though

it has been common throughout world history. Illness and death have
confronted us, and often we have been powerless. Of course, there
have been times of startling reality like the Virginia Tech massacre or
9/11, but those were sudden spikes on our death radar. These were
quick reminders that things are not right, but we soon forgot and
returned to “normal.” With Covid, we are now almost two years into a
constant reminder. I’m sure some readers have lost loved ones—I’m
sorry.

Covid has shown Americans (and the world) that we are not in charge.
Just as tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes remind humans of our
weakness, Covid has been a reminder of our frailty.

Biblical compassion should be saying to us that we need to put to

death our timidity and tell our neighbors the hope that is found in the
gospel by becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. A key passage that tells
us of this hope is 1 Corinthians 15.

Four Truths from 1 Corinthians 15[1]

We shall change (verses 50-51). If you are a follower of Jesus Christ
and have acknowledged Him as Lord by turning from yourself and sin
and asking for forgiveness, your body will be changed. As Paul says,
“the perishable will put on the imperishable.” In other words, our frail,
sick, disease-prone bodies will be no more. John Newton said it well as
he was dying, “I am leaving the land of the dying to go to the land of the
living.”[2] Hallelujah!
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 We are eternal people (verses 52-53). This is not the end! Paul says
that we shall put on immortality. No more constraints of earth-
boundness and time. Therefore, let your gaze break through to eternity
when you feel the pressures of this life. The present circumstances look
bleak, but the future is incredibly bright for followers of the Lord. You
will have to fight with your soul to do so, but it is worth the fight.

The sting of death has been removed (verses 55-57). Sin has a
horrible sting called death (Rom. 6:23), but since sin has been defeated
and Christ arose, the sting has been obliterated for the Lord’s followers.
We no longer need to fear death (Heb. 2:14-15). As one scholar termed
it, there’s been a death to death in the death of Christ.[3] Speak truth
to yourself that death has been swallowed up in victory, and to be
absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8).

We can be steadfast (verse 58). Paul ends this crucial chapter for the
days in which we find ourselves by saying, “Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

We, as believers, can be confident in the midst of a culture in crisis.

How? These are living principles; therefore, when we choose to believe
them, they unleash their power within us—in our minds and souls—
which reverberates into our attitudes and ultimately our lifestyle (see
also Eph. 1:18-23; 3:20-21).

A Final Challenge
Our country (and the world) is living in fear and is therefore on edge.
This has always been true but is amplified now, making it a teachable
moment in world history. Now is our historic moment to speak God’s
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 truth into a needy, fear-filled world. May the love of Christ constrain us
to overcome our timidity and boldly speak the beautiful message of
hope to a dying world (2 Cor. 5:14). Love is more powerful than fear, so
pray for love for your neighbors to overcome your fear of sharing the
gospel (1 John 4:18). Ultimately, you must settle the issue in your soul
of whether or not you are so convinced the gospel is the truth the world
needs to hear that you are willing to put to death your fear. Will you join
me in telling others?

Questions for Reflection

1. What is keeping you from speaking the truths of the gospel in
these desperate times to your neighbor?
2. Do you really believe these truths?
3. What passage of Scripture would you use to minister to someone
who knows death is imminent?

[1] These four principles are drawn from verses 50-58. Please read the
entire chapter if you have not done so recently.

[2] Reportedly said on his death bed.

[3] The Death of Death in the Death of Christ, John Owen (published in
1648).
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