Death is the common denominator for all mankind
I attended another funeral this week of another cousin. All my aunts and uncles have passed on and the cousins are dropping out like flies. In spite of all the advances medical science has made in the last five decades, they have never yet been able to save a life.
What they have been able to do is extend life expectancy, increase the quality of life and make it more pain free through surgery and medication. They have also, unintentionally, prolonged the dying process for many terminally ill patients.
They have never found, and never will, a cure for the aging/dying process in nature. From the day we are born, cells in our body start dying and are replaced by new cells.
In due time the replacement cells do not keep up with the dying cells. We end up losing weight, shriveling up and dying.
The Bible tells us these cells in us are subject to corruption and mortality. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:16 (New Living Testament) “Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.” The inner spirit/soul part of us lives on after the body dies.
In Hebrews 9:27 (New Living Testament) it reads, “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.” Yes, all mankind (apart from the rapture) is destined to meet up with the grim reaper — death.
Death is an enemy for saints and sinners alike, (1 Corinthians 15:26). This is why, when I reach that terminal illness from which there is no recovery, I want to be in the fast lane and off the first exit. I do not want any “lifesaving” procedures done that prolong the dying process.
But thanks be to God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, the death of our bodies is going to be conquered via a resurrection.
The day will come when all (bodies) who are in the graves will come forth via a resurrection (John 5:28-29) when this corruptible will put on incorruption, and this mortal will put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:54).
All mankind is destined to live forever somewhere. Some will have a much better quality of life than others. The choice is ours.
We can believe in Christ as Lord and keep his commandments which gives us the right to enter into his presence and the holy city (Romans 10:9-10; Revelations 22:14) or reject him and be forever barred to come into the holy city into the presence of God (Revelation 22:15).
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
May you have a good week unless you have other plans.
Maranatha. (Maranatha means, “Our Lord Cometh.”)
The Rev. Elton Yutzy is the associate pastor of the Maranatha Community Fellowship Church in Plain City. He can be reached by e-mail at revelton@gmail.com.
