CHOOSING BETWEEN LIFE & DEATH

1. About Life And Death

a) Life

i) The Bible says: “It is [God] that has made us, and not we ourselves” (Psalm 100:3; Revelation 4:11). 

ii) God created us with a “spiritual need,” which includes the desire to find meaning in life (Matthew 5:3). He wants us to satisfy that desire (Psalm 145:16). We fill our spiritual need by building a friendship with God.

b) Death

i) The Bible teaches that while our present physical bodies will decompose, our souls will live forever, either in God’s presence or eternally separated from Him.

ii) In Matthew 25, after sharing two parables designed to reveal the realities regarding God’s kingdom, Jesus discussed a time when He will separate the “sheep from the goats.” Those declared righteous through His blood will receive eternal life, whereas those who rejected Him will “go away to eternal punishment” (Matthew 25:45).

2. Choosing Between Life And Death

a) The question of choosing between life and death is weighed by Paul - to live is Christ, to die is gain!

@1. Philippians 1:21-24 TLB
"[21] For to me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dying-well, that's better yet! 

[22] But if living will give me more opportunities to win people to Christ, then I really don't know which is better, to live or die! 

[23] Sometimes I want to live, and at other times I don't, for I long to go and be with Christ. How much happier for me than being here! 

[24] But the fact is that I can be of more help to you by staying!"

b) If living means something matter very much to God, then death becomes secondary. 

c) For in death, there is nothing one can do as compared to the one who is on earth. For God has given to man a span of time on earth.

d) If God has a purpose for you on earth (which he does!), then you would not die before your time no matter what the situations you are in. This is one of our consolations!

e) So, give your best shots while you have the time on earth.

f) We have been urged to choose life instead of death.

@1. Deuteronomy 30:19 TLB
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you that today I have set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Oh, that you would choose life; that you and your children might live!