Why does Man Fear Death?

I would like to ask you a very important question. It is well known that man fears death, either consciously or unconsciously. Why is that?

It is because man fears the unknown, and he fears suffering. He is not sure what may happen to him after he dies. In the depths of his heart he is conscious that there will be an account-giving, and that he will have to appear before the holy God. He knows that his account will not turn out well, because none of us has fulfilled our duty. Man fears God because he fears punishment. For this reason, many people have tried to find a way to please (placate) God for their wrong doings. Many religions have developed because of this. Some people do acts of penitence, fast, and participate in religious functions, trying to please God. Others hope to diminish their sins by giving money and offerings, repeating prayers, and doing good works. But none of these things will help, because He says, "All your righteousnesses are as filthy rags." Why does He say this? It is because we are each like a defiled well. Can a defiled well bring forth pure water? Certainly not. It is the same with us. By nature we are all sinners, so it is impossible for us to produce anything which is acceptable to God. This is our sad situation.

Friends, is there any hope for us, before God? Is there any sure way to get remission (pardon for) our sins? And more than this, is it possible to have a change made in our natures? Yes. God has provided a salvation (way) which resolves this very problem. He has given to us one Saviour, in the person of Jesus, His eternal Son. Jesus accomplished all that was necessary for the salvation of the whole world. Through His death on the cross, with its spiritual, moral, and physical suffering, He became our Substitute, our Sacrifice, offered once forever, which never needs to be repeated. He cancelled the debt of our sins. Jesus, the holy and just One, took them upon Himself. Jesus bore all the consequences (punishment) which should have been ours. No one else could do this--only the Son of God. That is why the apostles (Bible) said, "There is one God and one Mediator between God and man--the man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself a ransom for all." Jesus is man, but He is also God.

What wonderful good news! But now listen carefully. You will only receive the remission (forgiveness) of sins and enter into this marvelous salvation if you accept it for yourself. The apostles have told us (God has said) that if we call upon the name of Jesus with a sincere heart, we will get direct contact with Him. The One Who loved us enough to die for us, wants us to talk to Him. He said, "Whoever comes to Me, I will not turn away."

Confess your sins to Him and ask Him to cancel them. Receive Him as your own personal Saviour. Invite Him to be your Lord and Master, and He will impart to you His very nature and life, through the Holy Spirit. From this moment on, you will follow Him. You will do whatever He wants you to do, and He will be with you always. He has promised to those who follow Him in this way, that when they die, He will take them directly to live with Him in heaven forever. Do not wait. You may talk to Him now even as a child talks to a parent with confidence and trust. The result will be that fear and guilt will leave you, because God will fill your heart with peace.

"This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." "And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment."

REF: Romans 15:13; I John 3:23, I Tim. 2:5; I John 1:5-9