Afraid to Die

Is a fear of death unhealthy? The answer is no, fear is the primary tool we use in remaining safe and keeping our family safe. Yet we know from Psalm 90:10 “The span of our life is 70 years, Or 80 if one is especially strong. But they are filled with trouble and sorrow; They quickly pass by, and away we fly.”

Romans 6: 23 “For the wages sin pays is death,..” Ecclesiastes 9: 5 “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all,..”

The English Actor and Play write Christopher Bullock (1716) first penned the words “’tis impossible to be sure of any thing but Death and Taxes” and Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s Founding Fathers, penned a letter to French scientist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy  “Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.”

There is an inevitability in life, we all die. So why do we fear something common to us all?

Living with that fear

The spectre of death becomes enhanced when we become parents, we realise that our responsibility for another life that is so fragile is all consuming. The phone call I have always dreaded is a message to say either of our sons has been in an accident.

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, an 1887 painting by Viktor Vasnetsov. From left to right are Death, Famine, War, and Conquest; the Lamb is at the top.

Yet we live with the constant awareness that we can’t prevent the unexpected, and this has consequences. 40 years ago a friend went out to work, it was at a height, he fell, and he died a few days later. He hadn’t gone out that morning thinking of that event, he had been strong, vigorous and full of life, he and his wife were expecting their first child. He fell 28 feet, a couple of weeks earlier I had fallen from over 30 feet with a minor injury. Death is our unexpected master.

Yet we all get on with life, we can’t hide away and wrap ourselves in cotton wool, we weigh the risks and try to manage them as best we can. Why?

Ecclesiastes 3: 11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has even put eternity in their heart; yet mankind will never find out the work that the true God has made from start to finish.”

Jehovah God put eternity into our hearts, we focus on living today and as we know taking one day at a time means that everything around us carries on and we want to do the same.

Jesus Promise

John 5: 28 “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.”

All those who have died and who remain in God’s memory will hear Jesus voice, did the ancients believe that? Job 14: 14 “If a man dies, can he live again? I will wait all the days of my compulsory service Until my relief comes. 15 You will call, and I will answer you. You will long for the work of your hands.”

Written by Moses the book of Job and again with Abraham in the book of Genesis we appreciate that they understood that there is to be a resurrection, the time when Jehovah God would call to them and they would live again.

So the condition of the dead becomes important note the rest of Ecclesiastes 9: 5 “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all,..” by reading the full context of the paragraph Ecclesiastes 9: 4 “There is hope for whoever is among the living, because a live dog is better off than a dead lion.5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all, nor do they have any more reward, because all memory of them is forgotten.6 Also, their love and their hate and their jealousy have already perished, and they no longer have any share in what is done under the sun.”

The same point is expressed in Psalm 146: 3 “Do not put your trust in princes Nor in a son of man, who cannot bring salvation. 4 His spirit goes out, he returns to the ground; On that very day his thoughts perish.”

No thought, planning, pain or suffering, Jesus said of Lazarus that he was sleeping. These ones are waiting for that call.

Does it really matter? Well ask two questions:

1. Can I choose the day on which I will die?
2. Given the chance of healthy life how long would I want to live?

Take steps to prepare for life without the fear of death, be assured of the Bible promises and explanation of why we find ourselves in this situation. For those without a Bible – down load a copy

Need support in studying the bible request a free Bible Study course, online or in person in your own language the study aid is interactive, fast paced and enables you to answer questions for yourself using “Enjoy Life Forever” download your free copy today.

Remember Jesus said in John 17: 3 “This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”

We can live forever without fear and coming to know our creator and his son.

What is Life?

The big question. Does Life require a sense of existence to be counted as life? Is a plant alive once the germination process has started, or a single celled organism two lives at the moment it begins to reproduce?

What a ridiculous set of questions? We can’t associate human life with the life cycle of animals and vegetation! But, we have to.

All life depends on the understanding that the embryo is separate from the host carrying the child to full term. The DNA separates the child from the parent and that is already part of the embryo structure.

Aah but the child can’t live outside the host? This is true but it doesn’t make it any less a person. I often use host propagation techniques to bring on new plants only separating them when the younger plant is healthy and strong enough to survive without the parent. They are still two plants.

Okay I have the right to decide what happens with my body! That is a great statement, it identifies that individuals have a responsibility and accountability for their actions. The termination of a life is only a start of the problem.

For example, I have a match and a pile of dry grass, both are fine until I strike the match, this increases the risk of fire. For good reason the Bible sets out a course of morality that those who don’t have faith reject. The clear counsel is sexual intimacy outside or before marriage is a reckless course and can lead to serious consequences, for example, unplanned pregnancy.

So the key point for all those who follow Jesus remains that we keep God’s Laws and set them above our individual rights recognising the responsibility and accountability we have before God.

Note all the actions that are included in the admonition to Christians 1 Corinthians 6: 9 “Or do you not know that unrighteous people will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Do not be misled. Those who are sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, men who submit to homosexual acts, men who practice homosexuality,10 thieves, greedy people, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners will not inherit God’s Kingdom.11 And yet that is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean; you have been sanctified; you have been declared righteous in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.”

Many choose to focus on the same sex acts in these verses but it begins with sexually immoral but it includes far more. Notice the next words that explain the Christians attitude towards God’s standards 1 Corinthians 6: 12 “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are advantageous. All things are lawful for me, but I will not let myself be controlled by anything.13 Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will bring both of them to nothing. The body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.”

We exercise free will – everything is lawful to the one without faith as the Apostle’s words explain.

So how does that affect the personal choice to terminate the life of an unborn child? The answer is very simple, the parent has free will and can choose for themselves and the unborn child, however, those who claim to have faith are proving themselves false to that claim as their accountability is to God.

We cannot judge the person. We can express our own faith and if we come into a similar situation due to our lack of self control or circumstances beyond our control (incest or rape) we have to go with our bible trained conscience.

This post doesn’t judge another person’s choice, rather it emphasises that for a Christian the issues started long before the unplanned pregnancy and more thought, self-control and principled love needed to be shown.

The Political leaders looking forward to the next 20 years often realize that there are too few births in their country now to pay for the spending and there is no way to pay the money back without economic migration, their are vain and half-hearted attempts to prevent the influx but long-term planning indicates that many developed economies require higher birth rates to sustain the economic growth required.

The impacts are moral, spiritual and social, when terminations become the norm in society life becomes worthless. So before everyone thinks Christians condemn abortions remember we recognise the right of another human to exercise their freewill, we don’t agree with it and wouldn’t take that option under any circumstances.

Those Prolife groups and those who campaign for choice should remember that we answer to the greatest authority, Jehovah God the creator of life. There are steps that can be taken to avoid unplanned pregnancies, for example respecting your own body, exercising self-control and of course we don’t get it right all the time so take responsibility for the mistakes we make.

I’m certain that when we are faced with a personal choice it is the relationship we have developed with God that will guide our actions.

The views expressed here are personal.

Collateral Damage – do we value lives or property?

Yemen, Ukraine, Syria, millions of people are caught in wars they didn’t start, over interests that aren’t relevant to their survival and the lands they live in are being fought over by people who have an agenda.

The senseless bombing, use of toxins and chemical weapons, heavy street fighting and of course diplomacy the curse of governments talking. The expression negotiated settlement generally implies that someone loses but never the people who have the power.

Best intentions and the desire for peace seem well-meaning but the human cost is calculated later. Often as a cash sum, can that be right? How many caught in the collateral damage had the mental skills to find cures for diseases, tackle the issues facing the environment, propose a way to end world hunger? Those firing the weapons don’t count that as a cost, the opportunity cost to society. Indiscriminate killing shows life has no value because wars continue.

The economic fallout

For the major developed countries, interest depends on the impact on the global economy, for example, the war in Yemen can be said to boost the world economy because both sides need weapons and this comes before the people.

Ukraine is a bigger issue because of its proximity to NATO and the effect on the global economy, we have wall to wall coverage of this war.

And yet how valuable is a life? Any life?

Governments send people to fight wars, the shells and munitions take lives indiscriminately and tomorrow they send another batch of people.

Life is cheap and those left behind have to then rebuild is this fair? Morally right? or even natural?

Few modern rulers lead their troops into battle, fight on the front lines or are prepared to give their life for the people.

Contrast God’s Kingdom

How does God calculate your value? Note Jesus’ words at Matthew 10: 29 “Two sparrows sell for a coin of small value, do they not? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.31 So have no fear; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Here is the price he paid John 3: 16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world for him to judge the world, but for the world to be saved through him.”

The outcome for those who put faith in Jesus’ sacrifice John 17: 3 “This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”

Those who die in human warfare may get their name on a plaque on the war memorial, those who die because of the collateral damage are not remembered beyond that generation.

Note the bible promise for those who are caught up in the universal warfare John 5: 28 “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.”

Our life is precious to God, he remembers everyone of us and he knows the reasons for the choices we make so we can conclude that we are more valuable than property, more memorable than sparrows and we have the chance to avoid being just a statistic, a name on a wall for a forlorn cause – the pursuit of power. Remember what Psalm 146: “3 Do not put your trust in princes Nor in a son of man, who cannot bring salvation. 4 His spirit goes out, he returns to the ground; On that very day his thoughts perish.”

Human rulership is limited and time-constrained, what is important to this generation isn’t that important to another. Jehovah God’s Kingdom is for eternity, his mercy unlimited and he is the personification of love. If you haven’t discovered those key qualities about the God of the Bible we encourage you to begin by understanding his Son Jesus Christ. Millions are following Lent and leading to Easter but why is this time so important? The following posts will explain why we can be certain the Jesus Death means something to each of us and every one who has ever lived.

To discover more on the point of Enjoy Life Forever or request a personal bible study go to JW.org

Why did Jesus die for me?

I know my flaws, errors and failings. I am aware that even when I don’t intend to be mean I am. As the apostle Paul says I am at war with myself.

Does this make me irredeemable?

Pauls heart warming words at 1 Timothy 1: 15 “This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these, I am foremost.” I would say we all feel that we run him a close second, maybe even a photo finish.

Jesus Died for Sinners!

It is interesting that when Jesus spoke to the Jewish Religious and political leaders they understood themselves to be above the people, superior, righteous and pious, not that they weren’t sinners but they weren’t SINNERS like everyone else.

The Christian who somehow feels superior to others fails to understand that knowing we sin in just one point separates us from our God and we need redemption as much or even more than others. Simply because we know how we should behave.

To illustrate – on a public road where the speed limit is 40kph but there aren’t any signs to say that the locals know, a visitor hasn’t seen signs doesn’t know the area and is caught in the speed trap doing 60kph, at the same time a local is caught in the speed trap going at 70kph. Who is more culpable?

The same in life, once we are aware we are sinners, we recognize the need for a ransom, someone who can compensate for our sins until we are taught to be perfect.

John 3: 16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.”

That single verse changes our prospects of life, look at the true sentiment, God (Jehovah) is a aware of our sins, yet he provider a ransom in his son who came to earth to die for those who accept the sacrifice and put faith in him.

Jesus died once for all of us. That death isn’t a free pass to sin as much as we want rather it requires us to try harder not to sin.

Love of god and neighbour are our two basic principles in life.

So how do we recognize the meaning of his sacrifice? We need to learn from Jesus understand how his life and ministry, death and resurrection are the real answer to our human issues.

So start with the value of his sacrifice – next week globally the discourse Have You Found a “Pearl of High Value”? [This event will be held virtually. To learn more, ask one of Jehovah’s Witnesses or visit www.jw.org.] Just how much are we prepared to surrender for the opportunity to secure this treasure. It is followed by understanding how Jesus explained his sacrifice and you are invited to join the more than 20,000,000 individuals globally for the Memorial of Jesus’ Death on Saturday March 27 – the local memorial is a virtual event – to find out more:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Alert: Because of the pandemic, this event will be held virtually. To learn how to connect to this event, ask one of Jehovah’s Witnesses or follow this link

Then come to understand what Jesus meant in his prayer at John 17: 3 “This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”

Salutations

Please stay well, stay safe and remember COVID is a gift we just don’t want to pass on to others so don’t be in too great a hurry to get back to normal.

May Jehovah God bless your desire to find out more about his son, the sacrifice and his love for humankind.

We enter a new period of reflection with over 6,100,000 deaths and waras across the world. Never has there been a greater need for the truth of why Jesus died for us – yes we have a choice God’s Kingdom or more misery following men – join us to find out more April 15 2022

Is science really saving the World?

A COVID 19 vaccine is now in circulation. Thousands over the next month will have the first doses and then require the second to ensure they have a measure of protection.

Is this really an advance or a sign that science is able to answer our questions?

That question is a challenge to Christians who herald this development as a break through.

What do we know?

This week one vaccine is approved – the way it works triggers the cells to respond to the presence of the virus. Now notice one word “triggers”, science has created the response it has merely designed a switch that will activate something that already exists.

Something within the human cell structure that combats disease. This is sobering because science hasn’t created a solution it has accessed the key or trigger.

The Psalmist said “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” or “I praise you because in an awe-inspiring way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know this very well.”

So to praise humankind for understanding what the body can do is close to saying the electrical engineer who ran the cable to my fuse box and distribution centre is as clever as the person who harnessed electricity.

Yes we are wonderfully made and to understand that science can only work with the raw materials and the known processes that already exist within the human body is the beginning of understanding why science will never have all of the answers. It is a journey of discovery – but the things discovered already exist.

We create nothing, we adapt everything, manufacturing is the process of blending materials to change their use or purpose.

The real source of hope!

Ask everyone about those who have died, what would you trade to have another day with a healthy loved one? Get them really thinking about a future where science isn’t split between designing and developing new weapons of destruction and then healing the impact of their “progress”.

What are we fighting now? It is the modern life style; contrast the plagues of the past, Spanish Flu, Black Death, whilst they covered the globe it was clear that travel created the problem. Humans and animals travelled and spread the disease. Today, COVID, SARS and so many other sicknesses move around the globe faster so the impact is immediate.

So to the real solution that Christians are supposed to be focused on this time of year, GODS KINGDOM! – we pray let your Kingdom come and let your will be done. What is God’s will for that kingdom?

Revelation 21: 3, 4 and 5 “…And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” 5 And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.””

An end to death, so with the kingdom hope all those who live under that rule have a chance to live on forever. Is that promise limited to just those who survive the introduction of the kingdom? Notice Jesus’ own words at John 5: 28, 29 and 30 “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment. 30 I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative. Just as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.”

Find out more and discover the truth about life, hope and true justice. Somethings beyond the whit of human rulership and science.

Ask the questions that really count and look at reality not the world as politicians and science would have you see it. Without God’s Kingdom can humankind guarantee 1 additional day of your life? Offer an end to sickness and death? Find out if these bible promises can be trusted.