The most challenging part of the pandemic is the agonizing fear that we or one of our loved ones may become sick and die. It is the most challenging reality of being human. The final act of breathing our last breath as we slip away into what is next can be a devastating thought, but the question is, is fear of death okay to have as a Christian?
Our Bible tells us that the fear of death is something that keeps us enslaved. How can this be?
Jesus Conquered Death
“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
Hebrews 2:14-15 NKJV
This passage also says the Jesus Christ shared in our humanity so that through His death, He may break the power of death Satan held over the children of God. He accomplished His task on the cross by tasting death so that we would indeed be free from the fear of dying and of death itself.
“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.”
Hebrews 2:9 NKJV
While we know that we are trained and entranced to fear death because of the unknown nature of it, the Bible says that believers should not fear death, because Jesus defeated it. We were created to have an eternal life with Him, even as our flesh passes away (Romans 8:13).
So why does the world, through media, instill so much fear of death, the virus, hospital counts, the number of people who are jabbed or unjabbed, and the latest variants? Can it be because of the god of this age, the devil, still wants to control man with fear, even though Jesus paid the cost for our freedom from it? Indeed, the answer is yes.
God of this World
Along with our enemy, the devil, is a long line of men and women in high offices of nations who have ingratiated themselves to the god of this world. They choose to gain financially, while many people suffer from rampant fear of being too close to others, fear of unmasked faces, fear of losing loved ones, fear of leaving loved ones, and fear of spreading a virus that has already been in most people’s bodies at some point. As time will reveal, man cannot stop the spread anymore than we can hold our breath for a day, but we can stop the spread of fear that is used to control the minds of men.
And the defeat of the fear of death, a slave master, is the defeat of the mind control that goes with it. It is to say that we trust in God with our very lives, our loved ones lives, and all lives of the people that the Lord himself created. In truth, ungodly men have chosen to control the minds of men by subjecting them to fear of a man-made biological weapon. We are not created to control other people, but we are created to rule the world God created by working in relationship with Him.
“But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.”
Hebrews 2:6-8 NKJV
Salvation is why Jesus was crucified on the cross and defeated death. God chose to do this to save us all from death and sin. When we recognize that we no longer need to fear death or all the things the world tells us that goes with it. We must also lose the fear of living, because Jesus suffered death so that we may have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
Life Worth Living
We must not let an irrational fear of death get in the way of living a life worth living. A life filled with loving our neighbor, praying for each other, meeting together often, singing in worship of our one true God, and helping one another through this life. It’s meant to be a good life!
So let this be an encouragement to not let fear get in the way of your life; as a believer, you are no longer to be enslaved to the fear of death. You are meant to be a son or daughter of the most high God and brother and sister of Jesus Christ. Co-heirs to what Jesus Christ paid for on the cross at Calvary:
“For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.””
Hebrews 2:10-13 NKJV
Are you suffering from the fear of death or the fear of sickness? You can call on Jesus to rescue you. He paid for it all and if we do lose our life, He has secured an eternal one for those who believe in Him and you will not be tempted with more than what He suffered for, He is with you!
“For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”
Hebrews 2:18 NKJV
Blessings to you this night, may the Lord grant you the serenity that goes with deliverance from the fear of death and sickness and fill you with His Holy Spirit so you may live the life He created you to have and live it in the purpose He created it for. You are in good hands and you are loved! 💓