The fear of death can disrupt life. The good news of Jesus Christ delivers those who have trusted Him from the bondage of the fear of dying. The Bible says, “Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying” (Hebrews 2:14-15, NLT). How wonderful to be set free from death’s fear! Paul celebrated, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2, NKJ). For the Christian, death is not an end but an entrance.
Death is our entrance into the presence of God. We live with the presence of God in us today, but His presence is limited by our sinfulness and imperfections. As believers, we are the temple of God, but sometimes we grieve or quench His Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). But when we are freed from this body of death we enter into the fullness of the presence of God. The Scripture says, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (II Corinthians 5:8, NKJ).
Death is our entrance into Paradise. This was the promise Jesus made to the thief on the cross who died beside Him. One thief mocked Jesus while the other appealed for mercy. To the one who called Him “Lord” Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43, NKJ). The great irony of this promise is the great sinner to whom it was made. Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners (I Timothy 1:15). The salvation through Jesus Christ is extended to the greatest sinners – you and I included! The Bible declares, “But where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20, NIV).
Death is our entrance into eternal life. The truth is, we are given a taste of eternal life here on earth. To know Jesus Christ is to know the forgiveness of sins, fellowship with God and purpose in living. This is the eternal or abundant life that God promised. When Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17 He said, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3, NKJ). Though we experience eternal life now, we experience it even more when we are removed from the presence of sin, brokenness, and pain in this world and transition to our final home in heaven (John 14:1-6).