The Sting of Death

Richard Thetford

We can read in 1 Corinthians 15:55-56: “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.” In verse 56 we learn that the sting of death is sin. Why? Because those that are caught up in sin at the point of death will never be raised to an eternal resurrection with Jesus. That would be the ultimate sting! In addition, when one dies in sin, then there truly is sadness and suffering by others. When one dies in a sinful condition, loved ones are left knowing the fate of the departed. Unpreparedness on our part will result in death’s sting when we die. Paul wrote: “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). Many individuals end up in this sad state when they die - but it does not have to be so. The sting of death can be removed if we desire it to be removed.

How Was Death’s Sting Removed?

Jesus Christ came into the world, lived a perfect, sinless life, and died so that we can have forgiveness of sins (2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 2:14). Death’s sting has been removed by living righteously in obedience to the gospel of Jesus (2 Timothy 1:10). We are promised if we obey Jesus and are faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10), then we can have everlasting life with Jesus!