by Teddy Yu
Death is not an uncommon occurrence in the convalescent home ministry. Indeed, by definition a convalescent home houses those that are either ill or advanced in age, and oftentimes, both. Thus it is not a surprise to hear that some of the residents have either fallen seriously ill or died. And such was the case just a couple months ago. We had arrived at the convalescent home just like any other week to spend time with the residents and share the Gospel. Yet on this particular visit, we discovered that one of the residents that we had been visiting for the past few years, ‘George’, was sent to the hospital to treat an illness…not an uncommon occurrence. However, it was only a couple weeks later that we learned that the doctors had been unable to treat his illness and that ‘George’ had died while in the hospital. While ‘George’s’ death wasn’t the first to happen among the residents that we had been visiting, it provided a sobering reminder in three specific areas:
1) Death is a reminder of the seriousness of sin
There is a natural grief and mourning that accompanies death. At the loss of a loved one, the heart aches at the loss knowing that he can never be brought back. There may be words of regret that can never be taken away, words that were never said, potential unfulfilled, and unanswered questions. Yet the believer understands that because God has a sovereign purpose even in the death of a loved one, his response must be not to avoid or to become lost in grief over death (cf. Job 1:20-21, 2 Sam. 12:22-23). Indeed, contemporary society has a tendency to mask the signs of death or postpone the finality of death either with euphemisms such as “passing away” and “eternal rest” or through excessive beauty and cosmetic treatments (not that one shouldn’t seek to be a good steward of their health).
In contrast, the Bible clearly states that death is the earned consequence of sin (cf. Romans 6:16, 23). Furthermore, death is described as the final event of life after which one is ushered into judgment before the Holy One (cf. Hebrews 9:27). Thus a proper biblical understanding that death is the necessary consequence of sin focuses the attention of the believer in the midst of his grief to comprehend a little more clearly the seriousness of sin. It is not helpful to cover up or to mitigate the issue of death with pleasant words (i.e. “He was a good man and everybody liked him…”) or with the views of other religions (annihilation, purgatory, reincarnation, etc.) that only serve to hand off the responsibility of death and the judgment to come. Instead, there is a grim reality and truth that man only has only one life to live and sin has terrible consequences. Thus the presence of death (however masked by contemporary American society), should serve as a reminder of the devastating nature of sin not only upon the sinner, but indicative of the magnitude of sin’s offense against the holiness of God that He would require death. Is it not appropriate that death should be a sobering reminder for believers to hate sin more?
2) Death is reminder of the hope that believers have in Christ
The Christian understands that even in the seriousness of death and the its devastating consequences to take away and ravage everything on earth, that there is abundant hope in Christ. The Bible is clear that the things of this world are fleeting because of the temporary nature imposed upon them through death. Instead, only the Word of God endures forever (cf. Isaiah 40:8). The things of this world were never meant to be the end focus of our attention and joy. Instead, all creation’s purpose was to point us to the worship of the Creator. And it is this understanding that provides the basis behind the heart that is able to joyfully proclaim, “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21)
This is the challenge that we have in this ministry: to instill this heavenward joy and perspective in people while they are still living. It is only when man submits himself in repentance and faith to the Lordship of Christ as Redeemer that he can be freed from the penalty and power of sin and the threat of the grave (cf. 1 Cor. 15:55). The is no other answer to the problem of sin and death. The key to developing this heavenly attitude is to begin and to continue crucifying the desires of the flesh for the things of the world and instead to cultivate the enjoyment of heaven now. Indeed, it has been aptly said that there are none that go to hell that did not choose so willingly; for they have chosen to love their sin instead of repent. And conversely, there are none that go to heaven to enjoy the presence of Christ who did not already taste it while on earth (cf. John Owen’s The Glory of Christ).
3) Death is a reminder that believers must proclaim the Gospel with urgency
It is an undeniable fact that the matter of death is immensely serious given the drastically different consequences for the believer and unbeliever. After death, the believer looks forward to being ushering into the full joy the presence of the Father while the unbeliever can only anticipate being sent into the eternal flames of agony and condemnation apart from the Father’s grace. And when these serious consequence of sin is coupled with the uncertain timing of death (cf. James 4:14), there is a necessary urgent response to bring and bear the Gospel. Right now there are souls heading toward eternal condemnation in unrepentant sin that can only be saved by faith through the grace communicated in the message of the Gospel (cf. Ephesians 2:8-10).
The urgent nature of sin and salvation focuses each visit we spend at the convalescent home. It is as sobering fact that each time we visit the convalescent home may be the last time we see some of the residents alive. There will be no second chances or another opportunity to say what needs to be said to address sin. Instead, love demands that sin be immediately and seriously addressed and that the message of the Gospel be earnestly and urgently proclaimed.
Death is a serious and painful reminder of the reality of sin. Yet as believers, we must cling to our hope in our Lord Jesus Christ who died upon the cross to bear the penalty of sin and rose again to conquer the power of sin. The issue of sin is indeed a matter of life (through faith and repentance) or death (the consequence of an unrepentant heart). The Gospel proclaims that hope everlasting can be found through faith in Jesus Christ (cf. John 3:16) that quells the fear of death. It is a marvelous blessing for the Christian to be able to proclaim:
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
“O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
