Death is terrible. We have all experienced the death of a loved one. For some, the mourning of a lost loved one can last years and can have major psychological and emotional effects. Why must death exist?
Death is a result of sin. It was not a part of God’s perfect act of creation but came about by Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden, an act the late theologian R.C. Sproul called “cosmic treason.”
Sin is an inheritable trait, passed down to all mankind by Adam as a result of God’s curse against his disobedience (Romans 5:12). Death is the painful result of that inheritable trait (Romans 6:23), a curse which no one can escape (Romans 3:23). Since we all are sinners, we all will die (Hebrews 9:27). Our bodies will return to the dust from which they came (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
This all sounds very morbid. Is there no hope for our sinful bodies and souls? Did God leave us to toil in our sins in this present life and then to suffer condemnation at death?
There is hope! Christ has conquered death for us through His own death and resurrection. He took on the sins of His people and became cursed for them (Galatians 3:13), dying in their place (Matthew 1:21). He was — and is — the perfect sacrificial lamb required by God for the atonement of sin (John 1:29).
Anyone who trusts in Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior is one of His people and has inherited eternal life through Christ (John 3:16). Christ conquered death and fulfilled Scripture by resurrecting from the dead.
If you believe in Christ alone for salvation — though you will die on this earth — your soul will immediately go into God’s presence (2 Corinthians 5:8) and you will have eternal life in Christ’s kingdom (John 11:26).
But that’s not all; when Christ returns to judge the earth, your body will join your soul in eternity (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).
Death is our enemy. Death is terrible. But death is not permanent for those in Christ. He has conquered it for us. While our bodies will die, our souls will reside with Him forever (John 17:3).
Do you believe this truth? Will you reside with Him forever? Place your faith in Christ for salvation. Come to Him, and He will give you comfort for your grieving soul (Matthew 11:28).
Greg Judy serves on the ministerial staff at Hancock Reformed Baptist Church in Greenfield. Send comments to
