On fear and death: A Christian response in tumultuous times

Shashank Sahay vis Unsplash

2020 will remain in my mind as the year of revealing. We were reminded of our mortality and our actions revealed a great deal about our motives and beliefs. Some of us believers, (myself included at the start) forgot that while this disease was “novel” it’s consequences are not. It revealed a fear and tragedy as old as the fall; death. We were reminded that death comes indiscriminately for everyone and we responded accordingly. Though this illness had a new name it was, at its core, a powerful reminder of death. Why did some young, healthy people die? Why some children? Why did others (who fit all the highest risk factors) walk through it unscathed? Scientists called this “unpredictable” or “novel”, but truly, this is how death has always worked. We will die at our precisely appointed time. I’ve come to the conviction that odds and statistics are much more irrelevant than we can understand; even these bow at the feet of sovereignty. In response to the fear and death: where we sought security, our motives, priorities, and beliefs were all brought to the surface and put on display; a proving ground unique to the meeting of mortality. Any cloud of uncertainty is torn away and all extraneous concerns rendered nonexistent. We witnessed (in ourselves and our neighbors) our response to the reminder of death, even a change in behavior, all of which revealed internally held thoughts and beliefs. I became aware of the fact that unless I am daily in the word of God it becomes far too easy to be tossed about by the waves of this terrestrial sea.

When the initial adrenaline and confusion faded from my own mind, two truths remained firmly. (They dissected me in the same way I’d imagine the gazes of judge and jury upon a perpetrator, inescapable and demanding response.)

1. Death is certain for everyone.

2. There is only one source of victory over death.

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Did we lose sight of the sovereignty of God? Caught up in the initial flood of frantic news we became like Peter, more preoccupied with the waves than the One who walked on water. (extending his hand to us all the while.)

It’s one thing to understand that death is an inevitability while it’s inscribed on ‘some’ tombstone in a distant frame of mind and quite another to understand it as you gaze into its gaping maw.

Of course, it’s understandable and valid for unbelievers to fear death above all else and do whatever necessary to avoid their own, children of the eternal God shouldn’t respond in kind. I lost sight of this, I thrashed at the waves and choked on fear before grasping the hand of my Savior. (Though I wished I was bold at the start, the Lord’s power was made perfect in my weakness and his grace blazed all the brighter against my paltry resolve.)

Eventually, I met the gaze of judge and jury and rather than chewing my lips and wringing clammy hands the Lord seemed to turn my gaze toward my Savior and defender. Only as he holds my gaze do I remember that I am not indebted to death, my penalty has been paid fully.

“Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” - Romans‬ ‭6:8-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As believers, we should hold a very different perspective and response to the reality of death, even as we gaze into its gaping maw. We are clothed with the righteousness and blamelessness of Christ that enables us to echo the words of Paul when he said, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” Except, it seems like a lot of us found that truth to be irrelevant or trite in the face of “real and possible” death. (I use quotations because death is always real and possible though we may believe otherwise in the absence of illness or suffering.) “So what?! would you drive without a seatbelt or walk into oncoming traffic then?!” No, but I also wouldn’t hide in my home and compromise my convictions and beliefs because fear had persuaded me otherwise. I’m advocating that we shake one another by the shoulders and remind each other, “death is damned, and fear a toothless dog!” This life is not the prize.

“What is the chief purpose of man?”

“The chief purpose of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever!” (paraphrased from the question 1 of the shorter catechism) I’m praying for courage, that we would put feet to our faith. I’m praying for perspective, that we would see further than the end of our noses. Even people who wear seatbelts will die at their appointed time, some while in their cars. I don’t mean to sound dark or cruel; death is a tragedy, but if we are so blinded by the days of this brief life that death seems to be the ultimate enemy, it is because we have lost sight of the purpose of life and the prize to follow! The purpose of the days of this life are to worship, to spread the gospel, to serve as an ambassador of the testimony of Christ! We have been made so that even in our marriages, even in our parenting, in our singleness, in our serving- we are pointing to the purpose; these are mere shadows.

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” - ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We are living each day and proclaiming the substance of the shadow which is Christ! If we are children of God, then life is a foretaste and after death the true purpose and prize are complete and fulfilled. Yes, we will grieve the loss of our loved ones in this life as they go before us into the next. Our hearts will bear the weight of grief as we are separated for a time, we were not originally made to taste death, but we do not grieve as the world.

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” - ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:13-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

If we think that death has “stolen” anything from us, it is because we are thinking in human terms. Death is a result of the deep brokenness that was birthed in sin; the curse of sin itself. It is contrary to God’s original design. We long for eternity; a divinely inspired desire, but there is only one place to find that security and it isn’t in seatbelts or money or anything else..

The one and only certainty against the sting of death is found in the perfect life and sacrifice of Jesus.

Do not let your eyes glaze over and your mind skip briefly past the profound and priceless gift of this news because of familiarity! Drink deeply and meditate on each of these truths and their implications. Jesus lived a perfect and sinless life in order to offer atonement for our sins with his very blood and death on a Roman cross. When he was buried to pay the penalty in full, death seemed to be the final toll. Yet, because Jesus was not bound by any sin, death had no power over him. Death was absolutely defeated, it’s sting removed. He was raised on the third day so that through him, believers would not face the second death. We would also be raised to life eternal; perfect redemption, complete perfection, dwelling in the fullness of God’s glory forever. We are clothed with the very righteousness of Christ, so we may be brought into new life and eternal fellowship with our Creator! Life is a brief mission; a beautiful work in the tapestry of grace. Death will come for all but eternal victory, forever togetherness, and the fullness of God’s glory is the purpose, prize and final dwelling for every believer. Jesus made the way.

We find our courage in Christ.

While death may startle us like a prankster leaping from the corner, it will not control us as though we lived in its house. In sin, death chained and marked us for destruction but Christ has ransomed us. The chains are gone, our debt is paid and we are sealed with his righteousness and the promised Holy Spirit, until the day he wakes us in glory and utters our new name as he welcomes us into his courts.

Christians have nothing to fear in death, our story does not end there So we look beyond death. Because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross, our Christian lives should be committed to keeping our gaze fully devoted to Him. We are strengthened when we behold our Savior eternal the treasure therein.

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” - Romans‬ ‭6:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We will not be controlled or coerced to turn this way or that because of fear, our good Shepherd is leading us faithfully home.

And while we live we will proclaim Christ and magnify his name! Let’s busy ourselves with the good work he has given us to do. Let us put our hearts and hands eagerly to that work, not glancing fretfully to the left and right. We live for God; loving, serving, creating and offering our praise with each task and every moment. Each day we are here, let’s commit to growing in godliness, proclaiming the goodness of his glory, shedding light in the darkness and spreading the gospel of salvation, until at last our faith is made sight.

Lord, let us not lose sight of these things, that we may live boldly and joyfully for your name above all else until we worship in your courts. Amen

In Christ,

Abbey