The entire world seems to be talking about the Coronavirus these days and striving to take precautions not to get it. While it is a dangerous virus that brings a death rate of 2-3%, we must remind ourselves that death comes for every single one of us. The death rate of humanity is 100%. The point is that on occasion, such things as a virus will wake everyone up to the fact that they are susceptible to death. Such an awareness of mortality is shocking to many people who live their lives, striving to avoid the reality of death. However, the virus outbreak has led people to think about death on an hourly or even minute by minute basis these days. For many, they have chosen to cope with the sudden shock of their mortality by purchasing toilet paper. Quite odd. No one saw this one coming, but many specialists have agreed that with all of the uncertainty, people want a sense of power and control right now and that for whatever reason, some are looking to console themselves with plentiful supplies of toilet paper. One thing is clear; toilet paper will not protect you from Corona. Toilet paper will not protect you from death. And toilet paper will not protect you from the One that you will meet when you die.
When thoughts of mortality enter your mind, do you think to yourself, "Do I have enough toilet paper?" Or do you think the most critical question, "Am I prepared to die?" For whether it is from a virus, or something else, the fact remains that all humans die, including you. So, what happens when you die? Should you be scared? Are you prepared? The Bible says, that physical death is not the end of you but that you will be immediately judged by God. As the author of Hebrews writes, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.”[1] In other words, just as inevitable as death is for each one of us, so is the judgment before God that follows death. That means that every person will be judged by God Himself, and God’s standards are perfect. Has your life been a perfect example of living and obeying God in all of your thoughts, motives, and actions? If you are truthful, the answer is, “No.” So what will this mean for you when you die with your sin? It means that you will not go into non-existence because your body has died, but that you will be judged by God, be found guilty by God, and be punished eternally by God. God is a perfectly righteous Judge who cannot allow any sin, including yours, not to be punished. To do so would make God an unjust judge. The Bible is clear that upon judgment, each person will be eternally designated to Heaven or Hell. “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”[2] Many people work hard to prepare for this life. Of the challenges that come their way, including the Coronavirus, are they prepared for what lies after this life? Are they ready to face their Creator? Many people only fear earthly death and the pain that might be inflicted upon them here. Some even live in great fear that they may die, but Jesus says, “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” The ultimate preparation must not be for this life, but for eternal life. What about you? Are you prepared to meet God? There is great comfort and peace available for those who trust in Jesus Christ. You see, the very God who created you is also the one who has sent the Savior, Jesus Christ who is both God and man, to live a perfect life in the place of all of those who trust in Him, and to die on the cross and receive the punishment for the sins of all who believe in Him. This means that those who have been saved by God should have no fear of Him or fear of death. Why? Their sins have been removed, cleansed, and forgiven by the Judge Himself. The peace that every Christian should live with is knowing that the God that they will face is the very God who has removed their sin and given them eternal life. This means that they are prepared for death and for what lies after death. When the brother of Martha died, Jesus comforted her by reminding her that death is not the end and that there is comfort even in death for those who know Jesus Christ. He said, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." 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?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."[3] What about you? Do you believe, as Martha did, that Jesus is the Lord, the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world? Do you believe in the One who died and rose from the dead? Do you believe in the One who is the resurrection and the life? Do you believe in the One who can guarantee that you will go directly from this life to everlasting life? Long story short, in these troubling times, when mortality seems to be on our minds more than ever, make sure that you have made the ultimate preparation…to meet God. For those who have, may you find peace during the chaos, knowing that even in death, you do not need to fear, because of where and to Whom you are going.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”[4]
Dr. Trey Talley, Lead Pastor and Elder
[1] Hebrews 9:27
[2] Matthew 25:46
[3] John 11:23-27
[4] John 14:1-6