Recently, during a moment in prayer, I arrived at the stark realisation that the inevitability of death ultimately points to God’s existence. One of the reasons why this will sound stark is because death, as has been explained before, is unnatural. Yes, it is imminent, but it should never have been in the first place. However, I still find the inevitability of death necessary to consider because of the tremendous evangelistic tool it is to have in my arsenal. I hope this article will convince you that death is advantageous to evangelism, not the contrary. I will also give you some helpful pointers to use when the subject of death comes up again in a conversation. Instead of shying away from such discussions, let them serve as your means to point others to the glorious Christ who rose from the dead. Consider the following biblical realities.
You Are Not Your Own
The inevitability of death should make you realise the inescapable reality that you are not your own. If you were your own or, to put it in another way, if you had complete control of your life, then death shouldn’t be an inevitability. Instead, it should just be shocking when it happens. Isn’t it shocking when something you control goes contrary to your expectations? If so, shouldn’t it be the same with life? If you had control over when you live and die and even especially ‘the how’, then death wouldn’t be an inevitability. It would just be unnatural. However, it is both inevitable and unnatural. The reason for this is the lie that man has believed since the fall: that he is the god of his life. However, we aren’t our own; death proves that (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Death Exists Because God Exists
In Genesis 2, we were created immortal. However, there was a caveat; only if we didn’t eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge would we live forever and never die (Genesis 2:16-17). With some persuasion from the serpent, our first parents failed to obey God’s command, hence the Fall (Genesis 3:1-7). Because of this, death became inevitable as that was the just punishment. From this, we can see how death serves as a pointer to the existence of God. Even though we are the ones who brought it on ourselves (Genesis 3:19, Romans 5:12-14), it is God who made it inevitable.
In short, death exists because God exists and is sovereign. Death also exists because we chose to play god. From this, death should serve as a pointer to how we aren’t our own and also why playing god leads to the very thing we are trying to escape from. Death should point us to the fact that God is worthy of all the glory and honour.
Saint, it is because we aren’t our own that we are to glorify God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20). For the unbeliever, the reality that you don’t control your life should point you to realising your need for a Saviour.
Christ’s Victory Over Death
Thankfully, a Savior was sent for us. One who, instead of playing god, is himself God (John 1:1-5, Philippians 2:6-11, Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:1-3). To fulfil his call, he chose to become a man (John 1:14). We have seen how we brought the consequence of death upon ourselves, and yet God, in his mercy, gave us hope that death would be overcome. When passing judgment upon the serpent, God promised that the woman’s seed would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). That seed is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As Paul wrote to the Romans, through Adam, death came, yet through Christ, we have the free gift of life in Him (Romans 5:15-21). In Christ, God has made us alive (Romans 6:11).
Unlike Us, Jesus Chose to Die
Therefore, the inevitability of death points us to Jesus, for only through him do we have life. Not just life but life eternal as promised to us (Romans 5:17, 21). Christ was unique from us in many regards. Unlike us, he chose to die. Death wasn’t inevitable for him, yet he took its burden (John 6:38-40; 10:17-18). He gave himself up as an offering to God (Ephesians 5:2) for his Father’s glory and because of his love for us (Romans 5:8, Philippians 2:11). Christ also knew when he would die (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19). In short, even before his death, Jesus showed us that he already had victory over death and that life comes only through him. Jesus also affirmed this by raising people from the dead (Mark 5:35-42, John 11:17-44). As he said of himself, he is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-27).
His Resurrection Gives Us Hope
The ultimate capstone of Jesus’ victory over death came through his resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15 is the perfect primer for what happened during Christ’s resurrection; it also shows why Christ needed to rise from the dead. He needed to rise from the dead as a confirmation that his redemption was final (Galatians 3:10-14). It is why Paul wrote to the Corinthians that if Christ didn’t rise, then Christians were most to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:12-17). However, it isn’t just Christians but the whole world. The inevitability of death reveals our hopeless estate without Christ. Hence, Christ’s rising from the dead is essential so that we can say with Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:55, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
Death reminds us of our deviation from God, but Christ’s resurrection points us to our reconciliation with God (Romans 5:1-21, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28). It is why we can say with Paul that our light momentary afflictions are producing a weight of glory beyond all else (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). It is also why we eagerly await the revealing of the Sons of God (Romans 8:23).
Live Like Death Will Be Defeated
Even though we have yet to attain eternal life, we press on for it. We do so with confidence because we know it is already guaranteed for those who trust in the Lord (Philippians 3:12-14). Our labours and sufferings for his glory are not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). Thus, we are to live in a manner worthy of the gospel to which we have been called (Philippians 1:27, Ephesians 4:1-3). Also, let’s “be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all you do be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). Let’s strive to not live as though death is the final frontier but the beginning of a forever life (1 Corinthians 15:19). While here, let us rest on the promise of Christ’s victory as we look forward to the death of death (1 Corinthians 15:26). This inevitable reality that hangs over our heads, of someday dying, will soon be gone. What a comfort that is!
As for the non-Christian reading this, realise that the inevitability of death proves that your life isn’t yours to live. It proves that you aren’t own. Hence, when death beckons, you will give an account of the life you led (Romans 14:12). Even your good works will not save you from that damning reality (Ephesians 2:8-10). Only by grace, that is freely given through the work of Jesus, will you be saved (Ephesians 2:4-7). Only through Christ can you be alive to God (Romans 6:1-11; 8:9-11). So please, don’t harden your heart (Psalm 95:7-11). Put your trust in Christ while you still breathe.
In conclusion, the next time death comes up in a conversation, instead of shying away from the topic, jump on the opportunity to present the gospel. Tell as many as you can that it is only through Christ that we have any hope of escaping the ultimate death.
