Everyone Must Die Once

EVERYONE MUST DIE ONCE AND AFTER THAT BE JUDGED BY GOD. Hebrews 9.27.

A colleague of mine lately took a personal accident insurance for a million dollars. This is in addition to the adequate life cover he already has! I asked him what was the particular need for a personal accident insurance policy for him when he doesn’t travel more than 10 kilometres a day? He told me that the agent told him that statistics show that in his age group – the middle aged – the most common cause of death is by accident. In my seventy odd years, I know of only one middle-aged doctor who died in a car accident and he was drunk! It simply proves the common saying that statistics can prove anything you want it to prove!

Whether the common cause of death of the middle-aged men is by accident or not, people of all ages die everyday! In this, the Bible is absolutely right! “Everyone must die once!” My wife is a cautious woman. A dear old friend of eighty died suddenly some time ago. He died without a will. He was intending to make one at our persuasion but death caught up with him and he lost his opportunity. His family is in a quandary now. Hence, my wife told me and all our children that we should make our wills and keep them safe.

Death is common to all and it always comes unexpectedly. We are not sure of many things after death. But one thing is sure, the Bible says, “after death you will be judged by God”. The Bible also clearly states the basis of God’s judgment, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Cor 5.10).

Most of us, even Christians, live lives that please ourselves and do things as though we do not have to account to anyone! If we do wrong and if we are not caught, we think that we have got away with it! No one considers that nothing escapes God’s all-seeing eyes and all their deeds are recorded by Him. Think of it, if you know that there is a camera that sees and records all that you do, would you be doing wrong? Because God’s camera cannot be seen, it doesn’t mean that it is not seeing and recording!

But no man can do right all the time in all things, even if he tries hard. You still do wrong. Thank God, He is willing to forgive you through Christ who died for you on the cross. Mel Gibson’s Hollywood film ‘Passion of the Christ’ was seen by millions across the world. When one man who saw it was asked, “Why did Jesus suffer so much and die?”, he bluntly said, “I don’t know!” Friend, Jesus came and died for your sins and mine. Today, He can grant you forgiveness of sin because He suffered and died for your sins.

Living a right life after confessing your sins also is a great problem. You will find that you need supernatural help. That is what the Holy Spirit does for you. Christ has gone to heaven. He is praying for you and He awaits you there! Therefore friend, you do not have to fear death and judgment anymore. Trust Christ and entrust yourself to Him everyday. There will be nothing to fear!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, help me to live my life in the fear of God for You see all that I do and know even my thoughts and judge me accordingly. Help me do what is right, by the help of the Holy Spirit. Amen.