I too am dying, but I do not have the appearance, thank the Lord. I am dying, but people want to hear my words about abuse, thank the Lord. I was not a practicing Christian until I hear my prognosis three years ago. I live from cat scan to cat scan and from weekly chemotherapy. How do I prepare for death. I could list what I am doing, but there is one critical obstacle: “Doubt no morel.” I believe, but I also think, “What really happens?” Is that so important. No, what is important is that something will happen. If you have any advice, I would be most grateful. I love God. I have accepted Jesus Christ. I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I pray. I study the Bible. I worship each Sunday. I have asked forgiveness for my trespasses. But yet, I am not in a state of grace; I cannot call myself righteous. ~ Roger MacNamara
We all must face the inevitable crossing of the threshold called death from this life to the next life. Most accountable souls, though, are in a state of denial and live with no more contemplation of their human frailty than pondered by small children and other unaccountable souls. Yet, the obvious passing from life is, of course, everywhere about us everyday. Further, the Bible affirms that death is one appointment that no one can miss. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Therefore, it is prudent for every soul to ‘prepare to meet God’ (Amos 4:12).
The first step in preparation to meet God is to acknowledge that our days on this earth are numbered and that comparatively soon we each will stand before Almighty God to answer for ourselves.
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men …” (2 Corinthians 5:10-11).
Next, we must seek God on his terms. Unfortunately, so many people expect God to accept their personal perceptions of how they should prepare for eternity and ignore what God has instructed us through his Word the Bible. Mankind cannot obligate God to accept, for instance, a redemptive plan of human origin. Nothing that humans can devise can either provide confidence this side of the grave regarding eternity or actually secure eternal bliss in the hereafter. However, by carefully studying God’s Word, and especially the New Testament since all now living live under the scope of the New Testament, one can (1) know how to receive the forgiveness of past sins, (2) know how to remain saved, and (2) know that eternal salvation in heaven awaits him beyond the grave. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (1 John 2:3-6).
Summarized, we must obey God’s will. Failure to obey the Gospel of Christ will result in a dreadful eternity.
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:8-9).
“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
Simplified, obedience relative to the forgiveness of one’s past sins begins with digesting the Word of God (Gospel), which is the evidence under girding biblical faith. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Examining ourselves by the Word of God (2 Corinthians 13:5) leads honest hearts to repent of sins (Acts 17:30) and profess confidence that Jesus is the Christ and Savior (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-39). The obedience of faith (Romans 1:5; 16:26) culminates in immersion in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21). Appropriately, that is the time for rejoicing (Acts 8:39), not before. Then saved, Jesus adds one to his church (Acts 2:47). In this way, one can know the truth and be made free from past sins.
Continued obedience or “walking in the light” (1 John 1:7) keeps Christians saved. As fallible beings, even sometimes Christians sin, but we have an advocate with the Father. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”(1 John 2:1). A Christian named Simon sinned and was instructed to repent and pray (Acts 8:22). Many non-Christians sincerely but mistakenly suppose that they can apply what God would have erring Christians do for forgiveness to themselves, circumventing God’s plan for their initial forgiveness from past sins. Only if one becomes a Christian and continues to be faithful can he know that he is in a saved condition now and know that a crown of life awaits him (Revelation 2:10).
There is little that one’s friends, other well-wishers and even our closest family members can say or do to dispel the painful aspect of death, irrespective of whether we mourn departed loved ones or anticipate our own untimely demise. The greatest consolation respecting the death of our friends and family or even our own deaths is to know that they or we have sought God on his terms and obeyed him. God is faithful and can be trusted to reward his faithful children (2 Timothy 1:12). Thereby can we know and have unshakeable confidence regarding that threshold of death each of must cross, sooner or later.
I was once acquainted with a very religious lady who spent her entire days trying to lift the spirits of the old, the sick and the dying. Finally, she lost her health, became incapacitated and no longer enjoyed the ability to think clearly. This lady who before attempted to cheer others, lie crying all her waking moments, audibly fretting that she did not know if she were saved. In her state of mind, it was too late for her to make her calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10). It is a matter of extreme urgency that each accountable soul prepares to meet God now while opportunities remain (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). Death is certain (unless Jesus comes again first), followed by judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Your friends from the churches of Christ (Romans 16:16) have a keen interest in you spiritual welfare in this life and in the life to come.
