A few years ago, I needed to have a lump removed from my neck. It was outpatient surgery, but my doctor told me that he’d have the lump biopsied for cancer. When he said that, a great feeling of dread swept over me. It wasn’t the fear of dying, but the fear of the treatment if it was malignant. Praise God that it wasn’t.
A dear friend of mine was diagnosed with stage 4, metastatic ovarian cancer. It had spread to her liver, stomach and other major organs. Doctors prescribed chemo treatments, then surgery, then more chemo and if all went well, she should be cancer free.
Here attitude was amazing. She wasn’t depressed. She didn’t say, “Why me?” or “Why now? She told everyone…
“If the treatment works, I win. If I die, I win because I’ll be with Jesus. No matter which way you look at it, it’s win-win situation!”
My friend did survive is now cancer free! The question stands….
Why wasn’t I afraid to Die? Why wasn’t she afraid to Die?
It’s simple. We both have Jesus. We both know that the moment we die, we’ll be in paradise with Jesus. I also had a living will with instructions to not go through any extraordinary measures to save me in the event things turned south during the surgery — Let me go to Jesus!
“Where, O death, is your victory?
1 Corinthians 15:55
Where, O death, is your sting?”
“Take care of your life; and the Lord will take care of your death.”
George Whitefield
Jesus didn’t spend much time worry about His death either. Even as the Gospel story progressed and Jesus knew that His hour was approaching, He continued His mission in life. For each of us, God has a day set aside for us to face death. Why then should we worry?
“He personally carried our sins
in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right.
By his wounds
you are healed.”
1 Peter 2:24
Because of God’s Grace — which we as sinners do not deserve — Jesus died in atonement for our sins. He’s our redeemer. We are redeemed! He died so we could have eternal live with him in Heaven.
Jesus Said…
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”
John 14:1-3
What does that tell us?
- Trust God, not humans — trust Jesus, too. People will let you down. God keeps his promises. People will lie to you. God never lies.
- There’s plenty of room in Heaven — so let’s invite more people! (Notice he does not mention Purgatory or having to atone more for sins.)
- He’s waiting for us in Heaven — not Purgatory.
- He’s coming back to get us — that’s what’s called the Rapture when Jesus calls His believers to him who are still alive. Anyone who isn’t Born Again by the Spirit will be left behind.
- We’ll be with Him for eternity — forever!
The only way to get your reservation in Heaven is to believe in Jesus as your savior and redeemer, repent of your sins and be baptized — again, the right way.
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Amen.”
Next Steps in Your New Walk with Jesus…
- Start reading the Bible daily. If you don’t have one, I recommend the YouVersion, Bible.app and Through the Word app — both are free and have a lot of great daily devotionals and Bible studies.
- Pray every day. Talk to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you daily.
- Find and join a Bible-believing church — preferably a non-denominational one.
Recommended Bible Study Apps:
The Bible App: https://bible.com
Through The Word: https://throughtheword.org
Soli Deo Gloria!
