The Weekly Word: Are you afraid of dying?

By the Rev. Daniel Larson, Cross Lutheran Church, Charles City

During the past two years, more than 800,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. While death is not an uncommon thing, the fact that so many people have died from a certain illness in such a short period of time has really made us more aware of death.

As a result, many have considered their own mortality. Have you considered yours? Are you afraid of dying?

An atheist might say that death is simply the end of your existence here; and that when you die, everything just fades to blackness, and you stop being.

That doesn’t sound so bad, does it? You live your life and then it is done!

So, why are so many people still afraid of dying? It is because we have immortal souls. God has placed in the hearts and consciences of all people a natural knowledge of His existence and the fear of death is part of that knowledge.

God’s Word tells us, “Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written in their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them” (Romans 2:14-15).

Is there a remedy for this fear of death that so many of us have? Thankfully, the answer is yes! The remedy is faith; trusting in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!

The Bible tells us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

For those who have faith in Jesus Christ, death is not the end. For the believer, it is merely the doorway into eternity with God and the new life yet to come. In His infinite love for all people, God has provided everything that is needed.

As the Bible assures us,”For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Jesus came to us on that first Christmas morning as the Babe of Bethlehem. His entire life was the work of salvation in order to redeem us from our sins.

He lived a sinless life, something that God demands of us, but we are unable to do, so Jesus did it for us.

At the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus was crucified on a cross. There He suffered the pains of death and experienced eternal damnation, paying for all our sins.

And then, having risen from the dead, defeating even death itself, we can take Jesus at His Word when He said, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19).

Jesus has now paid the price that God demanded from us and has brought life and immortality to light. As a result, for all who trust in Christ for salvation and eternal life, there is absolutely no fear in dying.

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If you would like to hear more about Christ and what He has done to bring you the joys of heaven, please visit us at Cross Lutheran Church. Our Sunday worship service is at 9:30 a.m. We would enjoy seeing you!