If you are a Christian, why would you be afraid to die? You know you will be going to a place much greater, correct? Shouldn't all Chirstians, then, be thrilled to to die? That is not the case though. I believe we are designed with a mechanism that is aimed at avoiding death at all costs. This mechanism, whatever it is, was installed by our creator to make sure that we all don't try and die quickly so we can move on to life in paradise. On the other hand, what if it was because there is actually some underlying doubt as to the existance of Jesus/God by Christians? Any thoughts out there on this.
I believe it is natural for all of us to defend and protect ourselves against death and I don't think we should be seeking it out, however while I have many fears that I deal with within myself each day I do not feel that it is necesarily death itself on this earth which I am afraid of unless it was without salvation and Jesus in my life. I do however fear losing my life early on this earth leaving my 5 yr. old daughter to be left amongst those who do not love or serve my Lord Jesus and having her led away from the truth and salvation for herself (this is what would burden my heart most of all).
I think it's natural to want to be with our loved ones and friends as long as we can. Fear of the unknown... is something I deal with. However, we do know that if we've kept the faith we'll live eternally with God in a perfect place. Sometimes I get a longing for that and I don't fear death.
Bonnie,
You say "fear of the unknown". For the "true" Christian, this fear should not exist, since even if it is unknown, heaven is still wonderful. So there should not be fear based on that for the "true" Christian. If, however, there is fear, it could be that deep down there is either uncertainty that there is a God or that we are not sure if we have met God's requirement to reach heaven. The undeniable fact is that it does exist. It exists in belivers and non-believers alike. I think we were designed that way. But I tend to look at things more from a logistical point of view. I like things to make sense in my mind.
: cwestra Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 20:31:15
Bonnie,
You say "fear of the unknown". For the "true" Christian, this fear should not exist, since even if it is unknown, heaven is still wonderful. So there should not be fear based on that for the "true" Christian. If, however, there is fear, it could be that deep down there is either uncertainty that there is a God or that we are not sure if we have met God's requirement to reach heaven. The undeniable fact is that it does exist. It exists in belivers and non-believers alike. I think we were designed that way. But I tend to look at things more from a logistical point of view. I like things to make sense in my mind.
No, I have no doubts about God or my Christian life as I said in my last sentence. Maybe fear was the wrong word. ::tippinghat::
Even though its conquest is assured, death is still our enemy, as scripture plainly declares. We were made for life, and death came in only when man disobayed God's commandment and delved into knowledge not intended for us. It is, of course, true that absence from the body for Christians is presence with the Lord. Regrettably, though, it is also true that most of us dread the suffering that often precedes death. I conclude that even for the believer death can be a difficult challenge to face. We can, however, be helped greatly if we can remember that Jesus' death and resurrection has reduced the enemy to merely being a portal into eternal life.
I would be thrilled to die if I knew that I would end up in heaven as Christians claim. However, to die means to leave everything on earth behind, which is the reason that I am afraid of dying. Yes, there may be something better waiting for me, but I am still afraid of losing what I currently have that is concrete, things I can see and touch I like (the most important of which is people).
Also like you said there is the aspect of our creator. If his mission for us is to spread Christianity, then it makes sense to me for him to ask that his followers spend time on earth in order to accomplish this cause. However, this would contradict his desire for his followers to be with him in heaven, so he works in a way so that both can occur.
And as for the "true
because death is not right
All people know this .
Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
death is not right its is a result of sin .
God knows this to.
John 11:35
Jesus wept.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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this online bible commentary will help explain this next verse
Genesis 3:22
And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever."
before you read the commentary also keep this in mind .
God loves people and did not want these humans Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of life and live for ever in their fallen sinful state .
because God loved them God had a better plan than that!
Gods plan full and free forgiveness because of what Jesus Would do on the cross and his imputed rightiousness to them of his perfect life led in their stead .
through belief (trust) in this promise of christ to come . They Adam and Eve The very first humans and christians received these wonderful benefits and eternal life when they died.
http://kretzmannproject.org/
I believe as a Christian, that our doubt is not from God, but it is our fallen nature to doubt that God does what he says he can do. God is a perfect being, so why would he install something negative in us that would make us not want to believe in him. I think the reason we want to avoid death could be a lot of things that he has made. One thing is that it could be for Christians to be around long enough to help those who are lost and struggling to try and find there way. If more Christians are looking for death, then who will be there to help those that don't believe. Also our bodies are temples made in the likeness of God, so why would be want to go destroy a gift from God and quickly as possible. Obviously, we are on earth for a reason, to serve God's creation, and to glorify him. God did not create and earth so we could come live on it for a couple of years then go join him in Heaven. That's not the way it works. I believe that he knew there would be people who wouldn't believe in him as the true creator, therefore he knew that those who believe in him would need to stay around on his creation to convert those who don't believe. We as Christians can't just let someone die without at least making an attempt to convert them into believers. With death all around us, someone who believes needs to be there to represent God on earth. Although i agree that death should not be a scary thing because we know where were going, we can't just up and leave something that God created for us to enjoy, we must serve him on earth in order to serve him for eternity.
: bic Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 21:33:36
I would be thrilled to die if I knew that I would end up in heaven as Christians claim. However, to die means to leave everything on earth behind, which is the reason that I am afraid of dying. Yes, there may be something better waiting for me, but I am still afraid of losing what I currently have that is concrete, things I can see and touch I like (the most important of which is people).
Also like you said there is the aspect of our creator. If his mission for us is to spread Christianity, then it makes sense to me for him to ask that his followers spend time on earth in order to accomplish this cause. However, this would contradict his desire for his followers to be with him in heaven, so he works in a way so that both can occur.
And as for the "true
Amen, HeRestores!
love,
sopranette
: HeRestoresMyHeart Mon Feb 23, 2009 - 06:33:14
: bic Sun Feb 22, 2009 - 21:33:36
I would be thrilled to die if I knew that I would end up in heaven as Christians claim. However, to die means to leave everything on earth behind, which is the reason that I am afraid of dying. Yes, there may be something better waiting for me, but I am still afraid of losing what I currently have that is concrete, things I can see and touch I like (the most important of which is people).
Also like you said there is the aspect of our creator. If his mission for us is to spread Christianity, then it makes sense to me for him to ask that his followers spend time on earth in order to accomplish this cause. However, this would contradict his desire for his followers to be with him in heaven, so he works in a way so that both can occur.
And as for the "true
We know that death is simply a process and life eternal is our reward. I can only imagine being in a perfect place with a perfect and glorified body.
The blessings on earth is just a little taste of what heaven is like. Apostle Paul says the Spirit has revealed it to us.
I don't fear death at all. In fact, I long for it, because it will end this temporary "life" of misery and start an eternal life of bliss.
Your opening question presupposes something that is not necessarily true, therefore your conclusion is the same.
Do we fear death? Paul says, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain."
Anyone who has learned not to seek self will not be quick to die, because their thoughts are not on self, but on the state of the lost, and the importance of witnessing that all may be saved.
The whole reason for living is altered, and death no longer has a place in it.
: llewksgood Mon Feb 23, 2009 - 11:59:16
Your opening question presupposes something that is not necessarily true, therefore your conclusion is the same.
Do we fear death? Paul says, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain."
Anyone who has learned not to seek self will not be quick to die, because their thoughts are not on self, but on the state of the lost, and the importance of witnessing that all may be saved.
The whole reason for living is altered, and death no longer has a place in it.
Can you put into laymans terms?