What do you think about dying?

The subject of “assisted dying” has been exercising the minds of many people these days, writes Bert Cargill of St Monans Gospel Hall. Truly death and dying are serious subjects, but not just for discussion or decision by others in Parliament, but rather for each of us to prepare for it before it comes our way as it surely must. Death is one of the few certainties associated with life.

Unsurprisingly the Bible has a lot to tell us about death and indeed how to prepare for it. Of course it also tells us a lot about life and how to live it well for however many years we may be given. But uniquely and authoritatively its pages describe to us what comes next, after death. It unveils the beauty and bliss of heaven for all who have chosen Jesus Christ as their saviour from sin. It gives to believers the assurance of being with Him for all eternity freed from all the troubles of this life whatever these were. A Christian’s death is described as “dying in faith”, and “departing to be with Christ which is far better”.

Death - Can you really face it with hope?

Death seems hopeless but let me remind you that even in a hopeless situation there is hope to be found in Jesus.

Facing Death

From time to time I visit people who are sick. Sometimes I call at their homes, but often I pop into the hospital to see them. Hospitals can be very sad places. The circumstances and struggles of life and the prospect of facing death are often confronted head-on in a hospital.

Nurses, Doctors, Porters and Cleaners are often amazing people. Their skills and abilities far exceed the basic requirement to clean, transport and provide medical care. Usually, it is these unrecognized people who have a kind word to say and the ability to encourage, amuse and lift a person’s spirit. They are quite an amazing group of people.

Why do we die?

The Bible states that 'it is appointed unto men once to die'. This most obvious of facts is among the most distressing things that we human beings face. I have a friend who committed suicide just before Christmas about ten years ago - why I can guess but I do not really know. Shortly after that one of my contacts in Liverpool found that her partner's nephew has been found dead in his flat. 

Death comes to us all but why?

The Bible tells us why. It is because of sin. 

The Bible states that we die because we were born into a fallen race. The first man, Adam, brought 'sin into the world and death by sin'. 

We also are all in the habit of sinning and the Bible states 'sin, when it is finished bringeth forth death'. We all sin, fail, hurt, lie, disobey etc, and therefore the moral and physical result is death.

But Jesus said 'I am come that they might have life'. 

How can that be true? We all still die! That is true physically but when a person comes to Jesus, by confessing our sin and asks him for forgiveness, they receive eternal life. The Bible says 'He that hath the Son hath life'. God promises in his word, The Bible, that 'he that cometh to me I will no wise cast out'. The Lord Jesus said 'come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest'.

This is actually only possible because 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners'. The Bible puts it like this 'The Father (God) sent the Son (Jesus) to be the Saviour of the world'.

Amazing! God intervened to solve the human tragedy of death but His only course of action legally was for someone else to die in my place. The only person who qualified was Jesus. His death was voluntary because death had no claim on him, He could not sin, and did not, which is why death had no claim on him. The Lord Jesus willingly died to save me from eternal death in Hell and the Lake of Fire.

What about you will trust the one who can deliver from the 'fear of death'?

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well

Cancer or Dementia - which is worse?

Cancer and Dementia – Which is the Worst?

Cancer and dementia are two terrible diseases, but which is the worst? Stephen Baker considers this question, and discusses our mortality.

If you would like to know more about Jesus Christ and the salvation and eternal life that is available through Him, contact us.

Is it Better to get Cancer Rather than Dementia?

Someone said to me recently that it would be better to get cancer than dementia_ Now I wouldn’t like to make the choice but I know where they are coming from. 

The prospect of beating cancer is higher than it ever was compared to the limited availability of treatment for people suffering from dementia. But having seen what friends have had to handle before they _beat_ cancer I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. 

Deception

All photos courtesy of Unsplash 

None of us likes to be deceived, yet we may be subject to some kind of deception almost every day. Perhaps you have been deceived in the purchase of some commodity; for example, if the car you bought was ‘clocked’. That means the milometer (the device recording the number of miles the vehicle has travelled) had been turned back to give the impression that the distance travelled was a lot smaller than the true mileage. Along with this, the price was increased because supposedly you were buying ‘a very nice low mileage car’. Sometimes a soccer player is tackled and the tackler hardly touches him but he rolls around the turf so that the referee is deceived into awarding a ‘free kick’. Many people have been deceived by politicians who promised lots but delivered little.

We remember, when we were at school, the excuses we made because we did not have our homework done. We deceived the teacher. One of the worst deceptions was when we deceived our parents by lying to them about places we had been and the company we were with. As we look back over the past our cheeks blush and we feel most uncomfortable.

Awesome

The word "awesome" is tossed around a lot these days. When people talk about cars, films, or songs, somebody will say, “That’s awesome!”  The truth is that if we call earthly mundane things "awesome" and then call God "awesome" we diminish how truly "awesome" He is. A friend of mine has a rule in the house—the word "awesome" is reserved only for God – and I really do agree!

Trivialising God is no trivial matter. He is far more than a companion who will fit into our “buddy system” or a divine ATM responding to our impulses. Until we are stunned by the awesomeness of God, we will be way too impressed with ourselves and lose the joy of the privilege of being able to be part of the family of an "awesome" God.