God's Word to the Wise

The wife of a man who had a profound influence in my early development in the Christian faith shared with me how disappointed he was to be struggling with death and dying during his final days. There was an uncomfortable tone of disdain in the tone of voice of a young pastor as he criticized those who showed fear while dying.  

Throughout the Bible, death is consistently depicted as an adversary. In (1 Corinthians 15:26), Paul refers to death as “the last enemy to be destroyed.” This characterization underscores the persistent struggle against death and its power over humanity. The Psalms often express the anguish and fear associated with death, as seen in (Psalm 55:4) “My heart murmurs within me, and the terrors of death assail me.”

The fear of death is a common human experience, acknowledged in Scripture as a source of bondage. (Hebrews 2:14-15) speaks of Christ’s mission to “destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” This fear is rooted in the uncertainty of what lies beyond and the inherent separation from the physical world and our loved ones. In my dad’s last days he told me, “I’m not afraid to die, but I cannot shake this overwhelming sadness.” 

Many deal with the reality of their own death by not dealing with it. Striking up a conversation with strangers comes naturally to me. To my shame, I have used this ability to talk about me and anything other than what matters most. Paul writes, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) God is graciously turning my years of conversations full of idle words into opportunities to share the Gospel. Those narcissistic conversations with everybody and anybody have given me enough street cred to now share the Gospel with them. 

The Holy Spirit is moving men of my generation and older to wonder about what is there after they die. Now, after the traditional midwest greeting, I ask them, “What happens after you die?” Interestingly, in most older folks’ concept of the afterlife there is a heaven and hell. Conversations with younger folks reveal many ideas about the afterlife that don’t include heaven or hell. 

Some of the older men will answer with, “I hope I have been good enough to be in heaven.” These men are honest about their unsavory thoughts and actions. (Romans 1:19-20)  “For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.” They know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are deserving of hell. 

I tell them they are NOT good enough to get into heaven, and never can be. I explained that if it required even a tiny, and I mean tiny as in, “anything” good done by them is necessary for them to get into heaven, They’re toast. But, thankfully, nothing is required of them. Their entrance into heaven has been guaranteed by Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus did what they have not done and could never have done for them, and the Creator God declared He is satisfied with only Him. 

Therefore,they need to simply abandon any thought of being good enough and hang on with all their might to Jesus. There is “Nothing in their hands to bring, simply to the cross they must cling.” Jesus paid the price God demands in full for them. There remains no outstanding balance.

(Ephesians 2:8-9) For by grace they will be saved through faith. And this is not their own doing; it is the gift of God, and it will not be a result of anything they do or don’t do. They simply offered Jesus in their place and experience the peace that is the result of knowing their entrance into heaven is secured.