Regarding The Fear of Death
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
To name any fear a man may have, he may as well just assert that he has a fear of death. Either the stated fear directly leads to death, or else, the fear pales in comparison to death itself. It is the most natural of torments: the striving to be alive at all costs. What man would not admit a moment of hesitation when peering over the void? Who would deny the paralysis that comes from envisioning all fade to black before our eyes?
Now, before we are consumed by such thoughts, let me bring light to that darkness by proclaiming what has been done:
Now, before we are consumed by such thoughts, let me bring light to that darkness by proclaiming what has been done:
"As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death, he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them, who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." - Hebrews 2:14-15
This passage tells us something:
The power of the living, reigning Messiah is such that death no longer has power over those who are given to his hand and share in his victory. And the grand result in conquering the fear of death is that all other fear is conquered in the process. In defeating the most grand of foes, all fears fear the power than can make death dead.
If the greatest fear is gone, what can you cower before?In being free from the fear of death, a man is free to live, for there is nothing restraining.
But there is the fear of God.
The power of the living, reigning Messiah is such that death no longer has power over those who are given to his hand and share in his victory. And the grand result in conquering the fear of death is that all other fear is conquered in the process. In defeating the most grand of foes, all fears fear the power than can make death dead.
If the greatest fear is gone, what can you cower before?In being free from the fear of death, a man is free to live, for there is nothing restraining.
But there is the fear of God.
"Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." - Matthew 10:28
When no power exists over us except the Lord, it is only the work of the Lord that has ambition to us. In being free from the fear of death of the body, we are only concerned with the life of the Spirit.
Those whose crown will be best are those who have lived with abandon, loved with abandon, gave with abandon, proclaimed with abandon. In doing this, one denies the fear of death, the fear of judgement, the fear of lack, and the fear of men.
This is why Joy is a repeated mark of the heavenly-bound. If one can mock at death, laugh at the enemy, and live eternally, what is it other than a life of Joy? This is the great reason we may *love our enemies,* because the Lord has taken away the fear of the greatest thing an enemy may do to us. Since death is no longer the greatest evil to us, even enemies, persecutors and assassins may do us no harm, for in giving us death, they only give us glory and great reward.
Brethren, this is a solid ingot of gold that is only gotten when you sell all you have, and buy the field that contains this treasure. It has been the secret of many who have gone before us. There are those who holding this truth, and being sentenced to burn on the stake, danced to the fires, as a groom on his wedding day. There are those who, understanding this truth, were "were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder ... were slain with the sword." These are those of whom the world is not worthy.
It is only in holding the reality of the resurrection that one can be free from fear. Why fear death if you belong to the God of the living? How can you fear darkness if you belong to the light? How can you fear lack if "the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof?" How can you fear the void when you partake in the fullness?
Death for us is a celebration. It is glory. Death is not death to us, but new life. We are made free from death that we may die, and in dying, attain the resurrection of life, both now, and in the great beyond.
Those whose crown will be best are those who have lived with abandon, loved with abandon, gave with abandon, proclaimed with abandon. In doing this, one denies the fear of death, the fear of judgement, the fear of lack, and the fear of men.
This is why Joy is a repeated mark of the heavenly-bound. If one can mock at death, laugh at the enemy, and live eternally, what is it other than a life of Joy? This is the great reason we may *love our enemies,* because the Lord has taken away the fear of the greatest thing an enemy may do to us. Since death is no longer the greatest evil to us, even enemies, persecutors and assassins may do us no harm, for in giving us death, they only give us glory and great reward.
Brethren, this is a solid ingot of gold that is only gotten when you sell all you have, and buy the field that contains this treasure. It has been the secret of many who have gone before us. There are those who holding this truth, and being sentenced to burn on the stake, danced to the fires, as a groom on his wedding day. There are those who, understanding this truth, were "were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder ... were slain with the sword." These are those of whom the world is not worthy.
It is only in holding the reality of the resurrection that one can be free from fear. Why fear death if you belong to the God of the living? How can you fear darkness if you belong to the light? How can you fear lack if "the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof?" How can you fear the void when you partake in the fullness?
Death for us is a celebration. It is glory. Death is not death to us, but new life. We are made free from death that we may die, and in dying, attain the resurrection of life, both now, and in the great beyond.
"For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." - Phil. 1:21
So live to the only thing that matters. Fear nothing. The righteous are as bold as a lion. Death is no longer the worst thing that can happen to you. It's not even on the list.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." - Joshua 1:9
"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." - Rev. 12:10-11
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