Overcoming Death

A little over 10 years ago my dad passed away.  I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was 23 when he was diagnosed with brain cancer and just engaged to Jeff. I was shocked but determined my dad was going to be one of the 5% that beat this cancer. It was a short battle, and ultimately my dad did beat cancer but not in the way I would have hoped. I look back now and am so thankful my parents took the time to help me build a foundation in Christ, a strong foundation, because had they not I would have crumbled at that moment. Verses I hid in my heart as a child began to come to life, like John 3:16:

For God so loved the world he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

Death brings about so many emotions from fear to anger to sadness. But as Christians we are able to look through the cloud of uncertainties and see a glorious plan that is beyond anything we can completely comprehend. Everlasting life! Jesus died for our sins and overcame death, leading us to victory against the pain and destruction of this world so we can spend eternity with Him. His Word comforted me and helped me look beyond my heartache. I grieved and continue to grieve the loss of my dad, but I know that when we said good-bye it was not permanent. As Christians our foundation is built on the knowledge that Christ is our risen Savior. 

Death on this earth is a given, and there are not any guarantees of our time here. But Paul shares with urgency in 1 Corinthians 15 the most important truth we will ever know, “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that He was raised on the third day.”  We as Christians have life changing news to share, HE DIED FOR YOU . . . HE OVERCAME DEATH . . . DEATH HAS LOST ITS STING . . . because of His love for us and our desire to follow Him we will live in eternity with Him. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:52 our bodies will be transformed, “in a twinkling of an eye; at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed.” There is no more death. In turn there will be no more illness and pain.  What reassuring truth when we are faced with the darkness of this world! But this truth is not meant to just comfort us; it is to be proclaimed to anyone and everyone so they too can know the great love of God. We share with our friends about a delicious new recipe, a great new TV show, or a good book to read . . . but do we share about the MOST IMPORTANT news anyone could ever hear? 

As I read the last verse of chapter 15 I can’t help but believe Paul is pushing us to do just that when he states, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” He is saying that after knowing this keep moving forward, seeking God; stay true even in times of trouble; don’t be knocked down but stand on a firm foundation; and let your days overflow with things that count for Christ . . . follow the Great Commission Jesus spoke to His disciples, 

Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:16-20

Time is short, people need to hear the truth, it is my prayer we too feel the urgency and share the Good News with confidence and purpose.

Blessings,

Julie