All Are Terminal

 

December 14, 2016, in Albany, Oregon, a homeowner went outside following a winter storm to an unwelcomed surprise. From a distance he could see a soul lying in his driveway which looked a lot like his best friend right down to the beard on his face. Upon closer inspection he discovered the man was dead, partially buried in snow and ice. The man was not his friend, thankfully, but no ID was found either. There were no signs of foul play. He just died …in a stranger’s driveway. There was no abandoned vehicle nearby and no one seem to know who he was or why he was in the neighborhood. Was he lost? Was he just looking for a warm place to stay? Did the weather just overtake him?

Muretus, the Latinized name of Marc Antoine Muret (1526-1585), was a French humanist, author, critic of literature, and professor of Latin. Not very well liked in France, he lived his later years in Italy a very learned yet poor man. It is reported that on one occasion he fell ill and was taken to a place where the destitute were kept. The doctors, discussing his case in Latin to conceal their thoughts from Muretus, said, “This poor creature is of no use to anyone. It is unnecessary to spend time and effort on one so worthless.” Being the scholar that he was, Muretus spoke to the doctors in Latin stating, “Call no man worthless for whom Christ died.”

During a cancer seminar, a man shared one occasion when he was being interviewed about personally dealing with cancer. The young interviewer asked, “How does it feel knowing you’re going to die?” He simply returned the question to the interviewer, “How do you feel knowing you’re going to die?” She was startled having never thought of life and death in that way. The man was right – we are all going to die. We are all terminal. It is just some leave this world sooner than others. Doctors can only postpone the inevitable. One day their expertise and treatments will no longer work to preserve our life.

[Genesis 3:19; Hebrews 9:27-28] The fact is, life is fleeting. The Bible says: “…For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). The good news is that the Bible which tells us all will die also tells us what we can expect beyond the grave. First, we can expect to live beyond the grave. None of us know when we will step into eternity. For the baptized believer, death is not an ending but a wonderful beginning. The grave will not be their final resting place, nor will they cease to exist. “But now Christ has risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep; The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15: 20; 56-57). Through Christ the believer will overcome death and receive a body that is incorruptible, glorious, spiritual, and immortal (1 Corinthians 15:35-49). Second, the believer can expect to meet the Lord and Savior himself. After death believers will leave the earth and arrive in His glorious presence. The apostle Paul earnestly longed to leave this world and “…having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1:23). Most people desire to depart because of problems or pain, but Paul sought to go to Christ and partake of His glory and enjoy a closer fellowship with Him. We are all terminal. We will die; but there is an existence beyond this life. The big question is …where will you spend eternity? Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Luke 16:16). Fear God (Luke 12:4-6); Confess Christ before men (Luke 12:8-10); Repent of your sins and be baptized (Acts 2:38); And Christ will save the overcomer (Revelation 3:2-5). Those not found in the Book of Life will spend eternity separated from God (Revelation 20:11-15).