Faith and death are inextricably linked in the lives of all Christians. Death particularly holds a special place. Fundamental in this regard is that one must die spiritually and be reborn in the reality that Jesus overcame death, died on the cross, and rose again for mankind to access eternal life. This whole life-death-death-life thing can be confusing, which is where faith comes in. Faith requires an understanding and then behavior that is consistent with that understanding. Physical life and death are but part of a process, one element of overall spiritual eternity. To some, this can be quite confusing, and an impossible barrier to overcome for those without faith. For those who claim faith in the reality of Christ Jesus, facts are based on faith, not sight. That’s why the events and happenings in the faith-based existence of Christians can distort the events and happenings in the real world. Death is one of those distortions. To the believer, death is life on many different levels.
Death is neither the beginning nor the end of anything, but the continuation of an existence that has always been here. Faith, which comes upon everyone at different times and in different ways, demands action. If you believe that when you turn on a light switch, electricity will power the light bulb and light will illuminate a room, then your expectation (rooted in faith) is different from someone who has no faith in electricity.
If you have faith in God, your view of death differs from that of someone who doesn’t. It doesn’t make the transition any easier because real physical death is an unknown adventure. Now I’m only bringing all this up because I’ve had to reexamine my faith as it relates to death or the thought of death recently. I am not at an age where I’m likely to hear about the death of someone older and perhaps younger than me. I also have to deal with the likelihood that older relatives have little time left in the physical realm. It has given me pause to ponder my mortality in the face of a faith that should embrace my immortality. We are supposed to walk by faith and not by sight.
To do so honestly demands a perspective that recognizes a yet-to-be-experienced consciousness that was the foundation of the life of Jesus Christ. The achievement of salvation and eternal life requires faith and subsequent actions today. Therefore, I must begin my quest anew every day. I must accept my faith anew every day. I must continue my journey anew every day. I have no choice. Faith demands that the notion of my death not deter me from the path of trying to live my life according to the principles put forth by the teachings of Jesus Christ. Some of that starts with a faith based on the knowledge that death is merely a by-product of the process of eternal life. What we go through every day, including pain and suffering, is essential to completing the eternal life cycle. Faith, therefore, will be tested every day. Once established, I believe much of our perspective is assured. The faithful operate by a different set of facts. Through faith, we believe all things are possible because God can do anything. That includes overcoming death. Hence, death is God’s business, and so is life. Faith allows us to put it all in His hands, so therefore my death, as is the death of my loved ones, is a step closer to God. In many cultures of the world, death is looked upon as a cause for celebration. This is or certainly should be the case with Christians.“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.
I tell you, the devil will throw some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.” Revelation 2:10-11. For all things, the answer never changes, and the truth never wavers.
May God bless you and keep you always.