Death and dying
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Searching the Scriptures
David A. Bass, Rockford Church of Christ
Saturday night was an ordinary weekend night. Throughout the city of Ukhta, Russia, boys and girls were preparing to go out on dates and have a fun time. Probably no thought was given to the grim subject of death or dying. Remember, death is only for old people, not for the young.
But this Saturday night in 1994 was to be different! Five young people returning to Ukhta about 10
p.m. collided head-on with a jeep carrying two policemen. Six people died, and one man was hospitalized, seriously injured. Families were devastated, friends lost close friends, future plans were destroyed. An emptiness was created in the hearts of brothers, sisters and parents. By the way, this is a true story that I experienced!
Hebrews 9:27 reads, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
Just as surely as we are born, we will die! As we look around we see that death is a part of every living thing; plants, trees, flowers, animals, and people are no exception. But why do young people die? I suppose there are many reasons, but let me suggest just a few.
First of all, people die because of sin. Sometimes they die because of their own sin and sometimes because of the consequences of the sins of others. Many young people die because of the use and abuse of drugs, especially alcohol. Thousands of young people die each year because of accidents that take place because of drinking and driving. These Russian young people had all been drinking; they were celebrating the marriage of one of the boys’ brothers. Others will die because of speeding or recklessly driving their cars.
Speeding, racing and taking unnecessary risks behind the wheel of an automobile are dangerous. Other young people get discouraged and foolishly take their own lives. Can we blame God?
Certainly not! God loves us all. John 3:16 reads, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
To show His love, God gave us the greatest gift that He could give – His only begotten Son.
Death should remind us of the uncertainty of life. We have no guarantee that we will live another day.
The Bible says, “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:13-14).
We must live each day realizing that it may well be our last. We need to be certain that we are prepared to stand before God on the judgment day. Second Corinthians 5:10 teaches, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
Are you prepared to stand before the Lord in judgment? We are going to be judged according to the words of Christ. In John 12:48 Jesus says, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”
First of all, we must obey the gospel and become a New Testament Christian. As a Christian, we must be faithful until we die.
Revelation 2:10 reads, “…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Are you prepared to die? If you have Bible questions or would like to study the Bible in person or by mail please contact us at: Dabass1962@bellsouth.net. Come and visit with us at the Rockford Church of Christ on Highway 231 near the Dollar General. Search the Scriptures!
