Because He died and rose again . . .

One of my relatives belongs to a cult whose members do their best to imitate genuine Christianity. They adopt our words and ideas, but have different definitions for the words and believe none of the ideas. I know this because I ask questions and listen to what they say when they come to my door. The Bible warns us to not be deceived.

Last week, in conversation with this relative, I heard him say many things that sounded good. He even agreed with things I said, which is a switch from years past. However, the conversation ended at the crux of the matter. He said, “Death is man’s greatest enemy.”

I said, “But that enemy has been conquered.”

At that, he hummed, hawed, and faltered. He does not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and in spite of his great confidence about his religious organization, he has no confidence at all about what will happen to him after he dies. How sad.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14–15)

In the minds of these cult members, Jesus is a created being, not God the Son. Reducing Him reduces His power. In their minds, God would not and could not become a man. He would never “lower Himself” to do that. Further, He did not really rise from the dead. Instead of a living hope, they have only a “hope so” faith and have not been delivered from its fear.

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Lord, we live in a society that is so gripped by the fear of death and dying that billions of dollars are spent to stop, reverse or somehow avoid the process. On the other hand, when people offer sympathy to my husband for his illness and he says, “We are all terminal,” most respond as if that were an astounding truth that had not occurred to them. Preoccupation with preserving life or dismissing death out of mind does not change its inevitability. Yet . . . 

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27–28)

Death and judgment are bad news, at least for those who do not know the good news. However, You have taken our judgment upon yourself. This is good news! You bore my sin, the greater enemy. Because You took away my sin, death is no longer my enemy either. Such grace! Your salvation is so utterly amazing. Because You have conquered sin and death, I am set me free from fear and slavery. I now look beyond it and eagerly wait to see Your face. Praise Your name!