DEATH: the beginning, not the end. (with Folashade Farotimi)

DEATH: the beginning, not the end.

Although death is a natural part of life, many of us do not know how to deal with it. We spend all of our life fighting against it only to lose the battle in the end. Or is this actually a loss? Death does not have to mean the defeat of life. In fact, if you are a Christian, it is the opposite: it is the beginning of life eternally.

Death seems like the end to us. This is because most of us cannot see beyond the gates of death into that which exists beyond. The ancients pictured this afterlife as a hunting ground, celestial life and many other scenarios. The truth is that death is the continuance of our spirits into an eternal situation – Heaven or Hell. Death is not the end of us because our spirits do not die. Only our bodies die. Our spirits are eternal. This is because our spirit actually comes to us through the Eternal One Himself – God.

The Scriptures tell us that, And the Lord God forward man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. ¹ The breath of God is eternal; therefore, our souls, or spirits, are eternal. Our bodies, however, came from the dirt, or “dust of the ground.” When we die, our bodies return to the ground. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it was thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. ² This is accomplished through the natural process of decomposition. Although the body decays and returns to the soil, the spirit remains eternal and returns to God. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. ³

As Christians, we can look forward to death because it means the return to Jesus Christ, our saviour. We do not have to fear death. We do not have to dread eternity. As Paul said in I Corinthians 15:55, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Death cannot hold us because Jesus Christ defeated it during His death and resurrection. Jesus declared, Verily, verily. I say unto you. He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. ⁴

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour? If so, then you do not have to fear death. You can live your life with the confidence that Jesus will always be there to help you, even when you take your last breath and go into eternity. He will still be there steadfastly, assuring us that we are His children and, therefore, loved, cherished and safe.

When a loved one who is a Christian dies, we do not have to grieve as those who do not know Christ. We can take comfort in knowing that our loved one left a life that has hardship, suffering and problems and that the person is now in the eternal rest that God promised His people. Christians who die immediately go to Heaven. They do not have to wait in a cold grave somewhere. They do not have to remain alone until Christ’s return.

As Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians, We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.⁵ Consider that for a moment: For a Christian, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. How much nicer it would be if we too could be present with Jesus? No pain, no suffering, no sorrow, eternal peace and joy. That does not sound bad at all, does it? Many times we fail to consider this when we lose a loved one though.

Have you lost a Christian loved one recently? If so, then take comfort in knowing that he/ she is now in the Presence of God Himself. Your loved one will have no more problems, no trials, temptations or tribulations, eternal peace and joy with the eternal one Himself. Picture your loved one in the arms of Jesus. Feel your spirit rise as you focus of the reality of your loss and comprehend your loved one’s gain.

If you too are a Christian, then you can also take comfort in knowing that one day you will see your loved one again. It is not an eternal loss; it is only temporary. The next time you are joined together, in Heaven, you will not be separated again. You will have eternity to bask in the Presence of the Lord with your loved ones who have gone ahead of you. Remember: Heaven is a destination and some people will arrive before others.

This does not mean that you will not feel sorrow at your loved one’s death. It does mean that you can find hope in what can seem to be a hopeless situation for many.

1.       Genesis 1:7

2.       Genesis 3:19

3.       Ecclesiastes 12:7

4.       John 5:24

5.       II Corinthians 5:8