Are You Afraid to Die?

Richard Thetford

The late Robert Wayne La Coste wrote an article that appeared in the October 8, 1970 issue of Truth magazine entitled “Are You Afraid To Die?” The article tried to get people to know and understand where it is that they now stand in relationship to their eternity with God. The article is too long to include in the space that we have available, so I will attempt to point out some of the key points that he made.

There Are Uncertainties Of Life

This idea was pointed out by the Apostle James when he said: “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (Jam 4:14). But one aspect of life is certain and that is death! The Hebrew writer said: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb 9:27). Why is it that individuals are afraid to die, even though they understand this is something that will take place? Well, there are many reasons for this but maybe it is because (1) they know not what lies beyond death. (2) They know and are afraid to think about it, not wanting to give up various things in this life. (3) They know, but do not care, for they live for today. And we can go on and on! Life is uncertain, yet many, many individuals fail to do what they need to do while they have life to ensure that their soul is taken care of when their date with death comes. Are you afraid to die? If so, why is it that you’re afraid?

Fear Removed Through Obedience To God

Those that are afraid to die are those that do not have the relationship with God that they should have! One that has obeyed God through the Gospel of His Son looks forward to death, for these people realize that it is this media which brings them to eternal happiness: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Phil 1:21-23). DEATH was a common theme of New Testament writers. Have you ever noticed that each time they mentioned death, they spoke of it as an event which was considered a privilege and they looked forward to it with earnest expectation! How can this be - to count death a privilege? Paul answers this question by saying: “for if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, he also will deny us” (2 Tim 2:11-12). There is no doubt that the reason they looked forward to death was because they knew they had a covenant relationship with the Father. When one has this kind of relationship, striving to obey all the commands of Jesus, they KNOW that they will have salvation with Jesus because of their obedience to Him (Heb 5:9).

Some Have Reason To Be Afraid

Those that do not have a covenant relationship with God have EVERY REASON TO BE AFRAID! Why? Because ALL spiritual blessings are only IN Christ Jesus (Eph 1:3). But the reasons are much deeper. When Jesus comes again He will come for three distinct purposes! (1) To receive the obedient unto Himself, that where He is, there they may be also (John 14:1-3). (2) To take vengeance on them that know not God and that obeyed not the Gospel of Christ (2 Thes 1:7-10). (3) To judge the world in righteousness - rendering unto every man according to his works (2 Tim 4:8; Rev 2:23). You are right now either in one category or the other. You are IN Christ, or you are outside of Christ! You know which, and in being in that category which leaves you outside of Christ, you can see from the scriptural proof offered that you have every reason to be AFRAID! STOP being afraid! Obey Jesus, be faithful unto God to death, and I can assure you that you too shall look forward to death, which shall take you to the home of God! Who could ask for more than that??