Fear of Death

 9/9/18             Steve  (video)              about 30

It seems a growing chorus of religious skeptics believe that faith is for weak people who need answers to the mysteries of life – and death.  Many come across with a nonchalant attitude towards the belief that when we die, well, “lights out”.

This is why a statement from Steve, an agnostic, that he truly fears death was actually very refreshing in its honesty and humility.  He said the thought of death is absolutely terrifying to him, but also believes that no one can know what happens until they die.

But does it have to be such an unknown?  Why shouldn’t we be open to good news in the face of such a morbid topic?  In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul wrote that there is such good news, that “Death has been swallowed up in victory.  ‘Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?’ “

But the good news of the Gospel isn’t just that we no longer have to live with this fear of the unknown.  In fact, what is known is actually even more terrifying than the unknown, that what actually causes the sting of death is the guilt of our sin before a holy and righteous God who will judge us according to the standard of His Law: “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.”   

Our human condition is actually far worse than simply going into eternity and not knowing what comes next.  Jesus vividly described the two paths we will take – the road to life or the road to destruction – and clearly pointed to Himself as necessary to be on the road to life, and Paul concluded that there is indeed victory over death:  “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Is faith really for weak people like so many skeptics believe, or could it simply be for all the people who are blessed to recognize their weakness and find true strength is Jesus?

PS – Steve graciously allowed me to record our conversation, which can be seen in its entirety HERE