A Good Way to Die

The subject on my mind today is an uncomfortable subject to discuss, some might even say morbid but death is as important an aspect of life as living is and is a subject most often dealt with at the end of someone else’s life.

I was lying in my bed, tossing and turning, unable to really rest when the thought hit me – is there really a GOOD way to die? All sorts of thoughts then flooded my mind, circumstances – reasons or causes which lead to the end of life.

Some die in noble circumstances. Some die running into burning buildings and towers to rescue the injured; some die upholding justice; some as they strive for the safety and protection of their family during natural disasters like floods and earthquakes or from the invasion of some more sinister force; some die for their love whether it be their girl, wife, husband, man or child and some die for freedom.

Some die in ignoble or dishonorable and shameful circumstances. They die in the commission of or as a consequence of committing a crime like theft or murder or for some other evil against another person or people.

To this, the Bible says in (1 Peter 4:15-16):

“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”

Peter’s reference to suffering addresses imprisonment whether for noble or ignoble reasons but the verb used for suffering involves experiencing pain ( I would suggest, even the pain of death) as a consequence for an action, belief or behavior.

Death occurs as a result of many things: ignorance, carelessness, recklessness, hate; from a bullet, bomb or a car driven by a drunk. Death occurs from natural causes like old age, illness, diseases like cancer and worse; and from unnatural causes stemming from the abuse of our own bodies – from too much food, too much booze, too many medications and various other addictions. Some die in their waking hours, fully aware and some die in their sleep.

When thinking of the best way to die, many will respond – in their sleep but I want to tell you that the BEST way to die is in the arms of a loving Savior.

You see, the reality is that death is only a pause in our existence rather than a permanent end. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is quoted to have said in (John 5:25-29):

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”

My friends, apart from receiving and trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, every human being is dead already in a spiritual sense and because each of us is comprised of a body, soul and spirit – spiritual life and death matters. Life is not limited to this realm of existence only, in fact I would say that this life is only important in so much as in your lifetime you may turn to the living God for eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ and then to follow the Lord and live for Jesus, sharing the good news by word and actions…discipling others as you go. That’s a good way to LIVE!

The BEST way to die is as a good person or while doing good but Jesus said – “No one is good but One, that is, God.” (Luke 18:19) Likewise, Paul in (Romans 3:10) says that “there is none righteous, no not one!” (emphasis added) Only by trusting in Jesus Christ can anyone ever be “good enough” to enter into eternal life (see John 14:6). But when Jesus says some will be resurrected to life and some to the resurrection of condemnation He is saying that all who ever saw life in THIS world will also live in eternity either to experience all the joys of eternal life with Him in Heaven (see Matt. 25:21,23) or to suffer all the agony of eternal condemnation in hell without Him (see Revelation 20:11-15).

Is there a good way to die? Yes, Jesus declared it so in (John 5:24):

““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”