Fear Of Dying

Many people have a fear of dying. No one will escape death, but no one knows how or when they will die. Many also do not know what happens after death. Especially in America, the idea of Hell has many people worried even if they do not believe in God or life after death. That fear can actually be good, as a motive to discover eternal life, but that fear should never overwhelm us, especially as believers.

Psalm 116:15 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.

Facts of death—1-The countdown begins at birth, one could even say it begins at conception since many babies are lost before birth.

                        2-Death brings separation.

                                    1-Physical-separating body from soul.

2-Spiritual- Separation from God which begins at birth and is only cured by accepting Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins.

 

Romans 6:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

3- The Second Death-Final banishment from God forever following the judgment at the Great White Throne which is based on our acceptance or rejection of Christ as the Son of God and His death and resurrection. Those who accept go to heaven to be with God forever, those who don’t go to hell forever.

                                                Born once die twice (physical birth only=> physical and spiritual deaths). Born twice die once (physical and spiritual birth=> physical death only)

John 11:25-26 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

4-Familial-Separation from loved ones on earth which is only temporary for those who have accepted Christ as their Savior.

3-The Choice—We can face death in the future with fear or faith. Those whose faith is in God see their fears consumed by the security of His promise. Those who do not believe and have not accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for their sins fear because of the coming punishment for their sins.

4-No Reason to Fear—Satan, the prince of death, has been defeated. We still die physically, but he has no power to kill us spiritually if we believe in Jesus. Satan has no power over us. The fear of death puts you in bondage to fear and to Satan by keeping you from peace and joy. God has delivered us from that bondage through Christ’s death on the cross. Satan will try to defeat us with fear and deception. Satan’s last hope is to get you to live as if the victory of Christ (on the cross) hasn’t happened, to get you to forget what Christ has done for you so that you live in fear. It is God’s truth that sets you free.

5-How to Deal with Fear—go to 1-the Bible

                                                                    2-God in prayer

                                   

Fear is of the enemy and can only be defeated by God and faith in Him. If you are staying in fear and allowing it to control your life, you are not standing in faith, you are telling Jesus that He is a liar because you are believing what Satan is saying (what is making you afraid) and not believing that Jesus has defeated him. Only one is telling the truth, will you believe Jesus or Satan?

1 Corinthians 15:54-57New American Standard Bible (NASB)

But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection we have the promise of victory! Nothing can separate us from Him if we believe.

6-Death is a Journey—If we are saved by faith in Jesus there will be an angel to take us from here to God when we die, and then we will be perfect. Death is not a destination, there should be no fear, even though we walk through the valley, we will not stay there and we are not alone. We have no reason to treat it as something to fear because of what Jesus has done. As with a journey, it does require preparation. Death can not hurt us. Because Jesus lives, we will also live. Death is the beginning of a far better life!

We have a choice to fear or not. We need to take the victory of Christ, believe His promise and not allow fear to control us.

Psalm 46:1-3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.