What Did He Die From?

What he die from?

It's a common question, often asked at funeral homes or when news of someone's passing comes.  We have gotten more specific in recent years, but still a common answer is the generality, "He died of natural causes."  What we mean by that is, it wasn't an accident or foul play that took the person's life.  He died of some disease, or the deterioration brought on by age.  In a sense nothing is more natural than dying.  It is one of the few universals in life.  

Looking beyond the realm of our experience, however, death is shown to be "dreadfully unnatural."  So says Michael Horton.*  He points out that, "No one really dies of natural causes, but of the most horrific and unnatural cause."  Contrary to what some people who haven't really read the Bible think, God's word gives a very realistic view of death.  It is an enemy.  It entered the world because of sin.  (Romans 5:12)  It is through fear of death that Satan holds the world in bondage.  (Hebrews 2:14-15)  Death was not a part of the world when it was fresh from God's creation and it won't be again when God renews all things.  In the mean time, death is a large part of the reason that we, and indeed all creation with us,groans and travails in this world of mortality.  

Micheal Horton goes on to say about death:  "We die because we have rebelled against our creator, collectively and individually.  So in order for God to raise us bodily from the dead, the judicial sentence has to be removed."*

While the Bible speaks realistically about death it also speaks hopefully.  There is life beyond the grave, and purposeful life in the here and now.  

 It's STTA. 

Find out about a hope that death can't kill, here.

You will find some ideas for having more meaningful devotions in the New Year here.

*Michael Horton, These Last Days, p 64-65