Fear Death?

“You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”           (James 5:8 ESV)

In warning the rich and addressing the sinful, James reminds those in Christ that in their suffering, they are to be patient with the Lord. In the Second Coming of Christ, a lot of things will change in an instant. Are you prepared for that instant? Do you have confidence in your eternity?

Do you fear death? I do not mean the natural anxiety regarding the transition from this world, but death itself. I know people who completely fear dying. It is a dread for them. So, I ask you, do you fear death, or do you welcome your end in this world?

We must be patient in all things, especially suffering, as James writes. We must also be patient for the coming of the Lord. But do you have confidence in your salvation? If truly saved, you will probably fall back on Romans 14:8, “For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.” So, if we know Christ as our Savior, we know that we have already passed from death to life, and either in this world or in heaven, we are the Lord’s.

Maybe it is our perspective. When you wake up in the morning, what is the first thing you think of? Is it what you must do today, what you have planned, or are you grateful to God for another day, not for yourself, but to serve Him? Your view determines your heart. Paul wrote, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) Is that your personal worldview? Is that what drives you?

I think the knowledge of our purpose in creation has a lot to do with our view of everything. When you realize that your purpose is to glorify God, your entire life changes. Not necessarily your job or your responsibilities, but the way you approach them. Are you thinking from a temporal perspective or an eternal perspective? Is today another day to live, or is today another day you are closer to seeing Christ? Can you see the difference?

When Christ is your treasure, your love for Jesus above all things, and the desire to be with Him becomes your focus in life. It is the light at the end of the tunnel that is this fallen world.

Are you prepared to stand before the white throne of judgment? Paul wrote, “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8) Test your view and test your heart.

If you are in Christ, remember every day that God is delighted with you. Do you remember when you were converted? You were converted through God’s election before time. Remember that today is a glorious day, not because of you, but because God planned it. If it is good for God, it is Good for you. While it may not be for your happiness, it is for your holiness, and if you are holy, be happy. Yet do not forget, it is a great day because you are one day closer to seeing the Lord face to face.1

If you are not in Christ, ask yourself what will become of me when my time on this earth is over. Are you willing to risk your eternity on what you believe, or on what God has told us through His written Word? Seek Christ and look forward to your eternity; running from it is a waste of time, and the end is inevitable.

Grace and Peace.

1 Rico Tice, Basics conference 2018.