Most thoughtful people do some things to prepare for death. I think of life insurance, pre-paid funerals and other expenses associated with their death or the death of a loved one. There are those who do everything they can imagine to avoid dying. I have friends whose lives are partially consumed with all sorts of physical exercise, supposed healthy diets, and other pursuits of anything that gives hope of living longer.

The truth is there is only one proven cure for death, life. A key part of the Christian gospel (good news) is that Jesus in his human body was raised from the dead to live forever. In the Bible we learn that the Apostle Paul had some very good news for the Christ followers in Rome. Romans chapter 8 is a treasure chest of truth about death and dying.

The first two verses of chapter 8 say: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

This is our first nugget of truth, if you are “in Christ” just as you have no worry about being condemned you also don’t need to worry about death. You are “free in Christ from the law of sin and death“. The death you fear no longer applies to you because of the work of God in the man Jesus who died “for us” to redeem us from the curse of the law.

³ For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵ For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. ⁸ Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

¹² So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 

The light will never go out. Yes, your mortal body will die but the life that really matters will continue forever. Jesus told the sisters of Lazareth “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?’” (John 11:25-26).

In conclusion…well…do you?

My hope is that you do and if you don’t please put your faith in the only one who can give life everlasting.

Royce Ogle