Fear of Death (John 11:25-26)

My wife and I had an opportunity to enjoy a rare date night and we watched the movie, Star Trek Beyond, the latest release in the Star Trek series. In the movie, Commander Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) is seriously wounded. Dr. McCoy (played by Karl Urban) is attending to him and as they reflect upon the gravity of the situation, the following exchange occurs.

Spock: Fear of death is illogical.

Dr. McCoy: Fear of death is what keeps us alive.

I pondered those quotations. I realized that both statements hold some truth. The fear of death is illogical if one does not know what will happen at death. Do we simply cease to exist? Does heaven or hell await? Are we reincarnated as another person or animal? How one answers this question will determine whether one fears death.

But the fear of death is logical if we are convinced that we simply cease to exist or a horrible fate awaits us once we die, then we would undoubtedly do everything within our power to avoid death. Fear of death would keep us alive, but we would live a hopeless existence, laboring to prevent the inevitable.

What possible hope is there in this life if we do not know have the assurance that there is something beyond this existence on earth?

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25-26 (ESV)

God has answered this question for everyone. If we confess and repent of our sins to Jesus Christ and accept Him as our Lord and Savior, then we will have eternal life with Him once we die. He has assured us that this life is a preparation for the next life in eternity. Everything we do in this life has eternal significance.

Fear of death. For anyone who has placed their trust and salvation in Jesus Christ, there is no longer any fear for He has conquered death and we can be assured that we will live forever with Him in Heaven.

Amen!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.