D.E.A.T.H

For many of us, death is the uncomfortable discussion that we do everything to avoid until it suddenly shows up.

Death has always been a tremendous fear of mine and as I have aged, I have often revisited this place of darkness and discomfort trying to understand it.

In my visits, I have discovered what has caused me to fear death. Like most of us, I often experience anxiety, fear, and often anger in uncomfortable, unfamiliar, and unknown circumstances...death is no exception. It was only recently that the Lord began to teach me about death.

Contrary to former beliefs, death is not to cease to exist. Death is separation. There are two deaths, the first is the separation of spirit and flesh. This is the death we must all endure. The second death is the separation of our spirit (soul) from God.

Let's take a look at the scriptures.

"And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:23)

* Depart- to leave/to separate oneself

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

* Sin= Death (separation)

"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." (Isaiah 59:2)

*Our iniquities and sins SEPARATE us from God

"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2:17)

* First command of God was "do not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil." Why did God say this? Because he did not want to be separated from his image (man). God knew that death (separation) would be born out of the sin of man. Why did God put the tree in the garden in the first place? To offer man, a choice... this is what we call FREE WILL. God is not interested in robots but a family...a family that will CHOOSE to love HIM back not be FORCED to love him back.

"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)

* Death came by Adam's sin. Sin separated us from God thus creating death. Only through Christ can we now live.

So, death is not this creepy experience coming for us all, but the first death is a guarantee of life that sin has granted us. The second death is OUR choice. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, overcame death, and now offers the reward of eternal life but with any transaction we have the choice to accept or decline. How do we accept this payment (for we are bought with a price...the price of the shed blood of Jesus)?

First, hear the Word of God that we may have Faith. Why? 1) Faith comes by hearing the Word of God from a sent (by God) preacher. (Romans 10:14-17)

2) Without Faith we cannot please God. (Hebrews 11:6)

3) We are saved by grace, through FAITH in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8)

4) Our faith makes us righteous. (Acts 13:39)

Second, Confess your faults (sins) with your mouth and confess with your mouth (believing in your heart) that Jesus is Lord. Why?

1) Because God is just and will forgive us our sins if we confess them with our mouth. (1 John 1:9)

2) If we confess that Jesus is Lord, we will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

3) We are either justified or condemned by our words (Matthew 12:37) (Revelation 12:11)

Thirdly, REPENT OF YOUR SINS. Why?

1) We remain guilty without repentance. (Acts 2:38)

2) Jesus' first message was "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17)

* Repent- is the activity of reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs, which is accompanied by commitment to change for the better. (Wiki)

Lastly, forgive and love others. Why?

1) We cannot be forgiven unless we forgive others. (Matthew 6:14-15)

2) The entire law of God can be obeyed/fulfilled through one simple commandment...LOVE OTHERS AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF (Galatians 5:14)

HOW TO DECLINE THE PAYMENT OF JESUS CHRIST'S SACRIFICE?

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 16:25)

* Translation: Stop doing things your way...and surrender unto God. Remember there is a way that seems right to a man...a way that leads to destruction. (Proverbs 14:12)

So, plant your life into the hands of the Lord, giving up the throne of your heart (control) for him to take the seat. This often includes your opinions, your wisdom, your feelings, your dreams, your resources, and your desires for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

ACCEPT JESUS AS LORD OF YOUR LIFE, THAT YOU MAY LIVE AND LIVE LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY AS WELL AS ETERNALLY. #dietolive #surrender