The Deception of DEATH – that Great Enemy — Pastor David Maier: Forward In Hope

I hate death.

It is, in the big picture, an unnatural event … one that God never intended. Life was meant to be perfect – not that we know what this is – except that it was to be an unending, intimate fellowship with God.

The parents of the human race, Adam and Eve, blew it, of course, by sinning in the Garden … and death, the consequence of sin, entered into the once perfect world. That death, physical and eternal, has been passed on to all humanity, as Paul writes, “sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12)

We live in a world that is still haunted by the enemy of final demise, the inherited fatal downfall of the human race that reveals our decisive culpability -- death.

This great enemy is ugly; it is unnatural, ultimate separation! No getting around it! No compromise, no smoke and mirrors!

But, of course, we try.

Just as we endeavor to diminish the guilt of sin … “everyone does it”; “at least I’m not as bad as …”; “no bodies perfect” … we attempt to mask the terror of death. Funeral homes advertise their services for anyone and everyone as “celebrations of life.” They suggest themes … if the deceased was a golfer, then golf clubs, and golf towels and balls of where the golfer has played are on the casket or on a display nearby. If the deceased was into gardening, then watering cans, rakes, hoes and hoses, and a sun hat are arranged. If the person who died was into fishing, pictures and brochures of favorite fishing camps or expeditions, along with nets, rods, reels, and creels adorn the funeral home.

As Joni Erickson Tada once wrote, “We are kidding ourselves when we romanticize death as the beautiful climax of a life well lived. It is an enemy. It is an even greater enemy to the unbeliever, for death then becomes his threshold to hell (that’s nothing to celebrate)!”

Isn’t it interesting that the Author of Life, Jesus, who came that we “might have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10) is the one who most talks about hell. He made it abundantly clear that rejecting Him, His Word, and the message of salvation that He brought would result not in non-life, but in the misery of hell and God’s abiding wrath. (John 3:36)

He didn’t mince words. Why? Because He cares. Because He loved and loves us so much that He wants us to know the truth, believe the truth, be set free by the truth, and see the unseen by faith.

Martin Luther writes,

“The great art and power of faith consist in seeing that which is not seen and in not seeing that which is nonetheless felt, aye, which oppresses and depresses a person; just as unbelief sees only what it feels and does not at all like to cling to that which it does not feel.

Therefore God does not confront faith with trivial things but with such things as all the world cannot bear, like death, sin, the world, and the devil. For all the world is not able to stand up against death but flees from it. But faith stands fast and battles with death, which devours all the world, and gains the victory over it and devours the insatiable devourer of human life.

Is not faith, which can hold its own against such mighty enemies and attain the victory, an almighty and unspeakably grand mater? Therefore St. John well says 1 John 5:4: “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Not that this is done in peace and undisturbed quietness, for it is a battle that is waged not without wounds and blood. Aye, in this battle the heart feels sin, death, the flesh, the devil, and the world so severely that it thinks it is surely lost, that sin and death have won, and that the devil has gained the upped hand. It feels little of the power of faith.” Not that this is done in peace and undisturbed quietness, for it is a battle that is waged not without wounds and blood. Aye, in this battle the heart feels so severely that it thinks it is surely lost, that sin and death have won, and that the devil has gained the upper hand. It feels little of the power of faith.”

As surely as hell is the worst outcome of this life apart from Jesus, so eternal life is the best. It will be the experience of every believer in death but especially after Jesus returns again to this globe in glory. In the new heavens and the new earth the hardships, battles, sicknesses, and temptations that we encounter now and are a part of real, everyday life, will no longer even come to mind. (Isaiah 65:17) John reminds us in Revelations 21:4 that in heaven, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” That’s why, as the Apostle Peter writes, “in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13)

So what? So what if death is real, and hurtful, and ugly? So what if even the death of a Christian is greatly mourned and lamented? Peter continues in the very next verse from that above (2 Peter 3:14), “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this (final victory in Christ, and the new heavens and the new earth) make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him.” Death, for the Christian, is a reminder of perfection lost, of sin’s relentless curse, of separation from our loved ones, and of our spirits from our bodies.

But death also serves as a fourfold “call” ...

First, to the serious of sin;

second, to the only hope that we have to be delivered from sin and death – through the sin forgiving, death conquering, life giving death and resurrection of Christ. Only through faith in Christ can we confidently assert,

Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
Third, to how we should live now;

And finally, to share our faith, what we have believed, known and experienced to be true, with others! If only unbelievers could see the unspeakable horrors of hell. That will be the consequence for everyone who treats God with indifference and contempt in this life. Our unbelieving relatives, friends, and acquaintances have only this earthly life to hear the good news of Jesus. They have only this lifetime, through the Holy Spirit’s work and power, to respond to Christ’s work and invitation.

I hate death. I hate its reality. I hate its prospect for loved ones … and even more what it does.

I thank God, however, for the certain hope of life beyond the grave – of being with believing loved ones again, of especially living in the presence of God and of the Lamb forevermore.

I praise God that eternal life -- through the awesome grace of God -- is already mine (John 17:3; 1 John 3:14); and that when I face death, and walk through the valley of the shadow of death, it will not be alone. It will be with Him who has been there, overcome it, and shares His victory with me.

I am awed by the blessed privilege and responsibility of sharing the completed work of salvation in Christ so that others too may no longer fear the great enemy. Rather they can have and enjoy life now, look forward to its eternal end, and share this victory with others.

May God bless and keep us in His heavenly peace.