“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Psalm 90:10

The Bible tells us that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”. I was talking to my neighbor yesterday, she is ninety-four. She has passed threescore and ten by twenty-four years. Yet some die very young, many among us do not live to half of that time. We have no guarantees. I could die while typing this article.

Death is a very gloomy subject to some people. But the apostle Paul didn’t seem to think that way. Consider some of his statements concerning death.

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” II Corinthians 5:8

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”I Thessalonians 4:13-14

Paul said to live was Christ but to die was gain. He said he was willing to be absent from this body and to be present with his Lord. Paul had hope. The songwriter Edward Mote said,

“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.”

and

“When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.”

Do you have a hope?

When family and friends gather around your casket one day will they sorrow as those “who have no hope”?

Not everyone has a hope. Many people will not be “present with the Lord”. Many will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Bible tells us, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”  I Corinthians 6:9-10

Only those who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour have a hope.

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:16

Are you in Christ? Are you dressed in His righteousness alone?

Are you afraid to die?

Brother Shawn