Death saved us

Scriptural readings:

Romans 5:12, John 3:3, John 19:30, I Corinthians 15:54-57

Many of us live in reality and never want to talk about dying. Right? It is very uncomfortable. But meeting our Creator is inevitable. Passing away is a fact. What would be the most sensible way to face this dilemma?

If we dig deeper into what this word means in its genuine sense, we should consider a few things. You might have read some articles more likely than you disliked or found them insightful. It may sound morbid, but it gives us, as Christians, a different but meaningful insight.

Romans 5:12

King James Version

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

The New Living Translation

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

While dying 100% haunts us, the truth is we were lifeless all along, spiritually dead. We are afraid to die, but we are already dead. We died in our sins. What an irony! It is not dying that gives us the creeps. It is fear of dying and after dying.

We live in a time when it is easy to identify problems and solve them. Gender confusion? Simple. Gender transformation surgery. Unwanted pregnancy? Abortion. Here is one thing. We are more horrified watching horror movies but not the consequences and horrors of our evil and immoral acts. The opposite of what the Holy Scripture says: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instructions. (Proverbs 1:7)

Nothing is more fearful than reading Matthew 24, and yet, people, and even some believers, are shackled, enjoying what Satan offers them. Criticism is fueling the increase in doomsday events happening nowadays. Instead of heeding and preparing for these future scenarios with love and passion, they ignore them.

John 3:3

King James Version

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

The New Living Translation

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again,[a] you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

To be dead in spirit, we must once have been alive. Right? Every Christian knows what happened when humanity committed our first sin. It is the day when all die. Yes, every human that comes into existence will be spiritually dead.

One must be born again. It is a commandment from our Lord Jesus. But, just like Nicodemus, we living in modern times still find it odd what it is to be born again. We insist on being more philosophical rather than spiritual. Whenever we seek spiritual growth, we expect temporal results. We can never reach God because our spirits are dead. Since God is a spirit, only our spirits can get to Him. And because of our dead spirit, to rejuvenate our lifeless souls, we must seek a fresh existence within our spirits. It is why we have to be born again. It is a life-changing experience from God Himself. He has given us a new divine life through Jesus Christ.

Finally

John 19:30

King James Version

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

The New Living Translation

When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Death penalty

The death penalty serves justice, the majority agree, right? But what if the person is innocent? If we're willing to execute an innocent person, how can we claim to uphold justice? Once a life is lost, it is lost forever. Navigating through the unfamiliar and unpredictable obstacles that life throws us is a task we are all well-acquainted with. We seldom find the right ones.

Death and penalty are two significant words in Christianity. Understand that these two words are essential for spiritual salvation. In the temporal realm, death, and the penalty are two words that evoke unpleasant emotions. In the spiritual realm, these are unquestionably divine connections.

Death

How do we define dying in its absolute sense? Do you think it is possible to fully and clearly be empathetic or emotional? Mourning is an integral part of dying. Correct? Death, in its absolute perception, may be undefinable. However, faith tells us that being dead is our condition before accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and having a state of separation from God, who is life Himself.

Penalty

In this world we live in, to die is a penalty. Right? But what about the spiritual realm? Could we explain the reason for dying as a punishment if I was born dead in spirit in the first place? Sadly, the death penalty stems from the curse of sin, something we find difficult to accept. The love of God does not extend to what we do, and that is to sin.

It is finished.

The English word finished (past tense) in Greek is τελέω (teleō), pronounced as tel-eh'-o. Now, what is the significance of this? You may ask. The Greek word τελέω (teleō) signifies completion, discharge of a debt, and fulfillment. In Christian theology, this profound term implies that Jesus, the Son of God, definitively accomplished his mission here on earth. When Jesus declared, "It is finished," it signified the completion of the payment for humanity's sins. This act bridged the gap between humanity and God, providing the opportunity for eternal salvation to those who believe in His sacrifice. It is the essence of the Christian faith and the absolute goal of human existence. It reminds us of the importance of faith, hope, and trust in Jesus. It reminds us of unlocking the transformative potential of love and forgiveness.

I Corinthians 15:54-57

King James Version

V.54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

V.55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?

V.56 The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.

V.57 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The New Living Translation

V.54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,[j] this Scripture will be fulfilled:

V.55 “Death is swallowed up in victory.

 O death, where is your victory?

    O death, where is your sting?”

V.56  For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.

V.57  But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now we are sure that God has taken care of this uncertainty, we should no longer fear dying. The meaning of dying as a punishment has been replaced by the glory of God through believing and putting our trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, because of what He did on Calvary. Death saved us from dying. We should stay clear-headed when discussing death and not let our emotions cloud our judgment.