Are you afraid to die? If you have no faith in Christ, if you are a rebel to God, an unbeliever, if you are yet in your sins, you have much reason to fear death. The wrath of God is upon you. Nothing awaits you after death but judgment. But if you are a believer, a child of God, redeemed by blood and saved by grace YOU HAVE NO REASON TO FEAR DEATH. Our Lord Jesus Christ took upon himself our nature and died as our Substitute at Calvary, "that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." All of God's elect, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, should have the same confidence that Paul had when he wrote, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day...I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at..hand." It is not my desire to impress you with fine words. I am not striving to gain your applause or approval. I am not trying to be brave. Bravery has nothing to do with what I am saying. But I do know something about what it is to be faced with the immediate prospect of death, without fear. No believer has any reason to fear death. Basically, there are five things which cause men to fear death. (1.) Men fear death, because of the consciousness of their sin. (2.) Men fear death, because they know that their righteousness is not enough to satisfy a holy God. (3.) Men fear death, because they naturally fear the unknown. (4.) Some people fear death, because they are fearful for the welfare of their families. And (5.) many believers, especially faithful pastors fear death, because they are concerned for the welfare of God's church.
But none of these things should cause a believer to fear death. THE CHURCH GOD WILL SURVIVE WITHOUT ME. Truly, it is a monstrously foolish pride that causes any man to think that the welfare of God's family depends upon him. The Lord my God is wiser, kinder, stronger, and richer than I am. HE CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF BELOVED FAMILY. Martin Luther, the great German reformer, wrote this in his will "Lord, thou hast given me wife and children, I have nothing to leave them, but I commit them to thee. O Father of the fatherless, and judge of widows, nourish, keep, and teach them." MY SIN DOES NOT CAUSE ME TO FEAR DEATH. BECAUSE I HAVE A PERFECT, ALL-SUFFICIENT SACRIFICE, WHICH GOD HAS ACCEPTED. The Lord Jesus Christ has taken my sin upon himself. He bled and died as my Substitute under the penalty of my sin. My sin is gone. Christ took it away. So the sting of death is gone.
There is no wrath in God awaiting me. He expended his wrath against me in his Son. The law and justice of God have no claim upon me. But am I pure enough, good enough, righteous enough, holy enough to meet God's approval and be accepted before him? Even that question does not alarm me. JESUS CHRIST THE LORD IS THE LORD MY RIGHTEOUSNESS! God demands perfect righteousness. He will accept no less. Jesus Christ is made to me Righteousness. All that God demands of me, I have in Christ. AND LIFE AFTER DEATH IS NO HIDDEN MYSTERY TO ME. I know that when this house of clay is empty, I will live before the Lord. I know that, though my body returns to the dust, it shall one day be raised again in immortality; and I shall see my Redeemer face to face (Job 19:25-27). FAITH IN CHRIST SHOULD END THE FEAR OF DEATH FOR EVERY BELIEVER!
*