We usually think that old people are preoccupied with death. How about young people? Yesterday afternoon I had the opportunity to talk with a young adult named X on the issue of death. I asked, “Why are you afraid of death?” Apparently looking a little depressed he replied, “Ever since I had sleep paralysis (this is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move during sleep), I have been haunted by death”. He added, “If death is being in this helpless state of consciousness unable to speak or move for even a second, this is really scary and unimaginable. I will never be prepared for this.” This fearful incident indeed triggered him to re-examine his belief system and personal relationship with God. He then prayed and dedicated his life to Jesus again.
The greatest human fear has always been death. Question like what will happen to me after death is worth exploring with non believers. The fear of unknown is real. Death can come to anyone at anytime and often very sudden and without any pre warning.
For the Bible, the Word of God, death means separation- separation of his soul from God if one is without Christ. This happens after he breathes his last. There will be an eternal judgment and every unbeliever will have to account for all he has done and eventually he will be punished and condemned to hell, a lake of fire. He shall forever be separated from God.
However for everyone who has Christ in his heart as Savior and Lord, death is only a transition from a physical body into a spiritual or resurrected one. His soul shall live with God throughout eternity.
God’s Word says:
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 ESV
May we affirm our faith in God and echo the same conviction as Paul who penned down these words to his protege Timothy while he was still in prison.
“...But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. - 2 Timothy 1:12 ESV
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