FREE FROM THE FEAR OF DEATH

Hebrews 2:14-15
14 Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (WEB)

1 Corinthians 15:26 says that the last enemy to be destroyed is death and 1 Corinthians 15:55 tells us that because of the finished work of Jesus Christ, death has now lost its sting. In today's Daily Reading, the writer of Hebrews continues with this theme when he declares how Jesus had to become like His brothers in every way so that He could bring to nothing him who had the power of death.

While it is appointed for every believer to eventually graduate to heaven, we no longer need to live in fear of death because we have the unfading hope of eternal life. Our Elder Brother Jesus has secured it on our behalf. No longer do we need to fear our future. No longer do we need to be tormented by the thief who only comes to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10).

My prayer today is that we would all know that Jesus has freed us from the fear of death so that we could live our lives to the full here on earth! May our hearts be full of confident hope in the glorious future that one day awaits us in the halls of eternity. May we be convinced as Paul was convinced, that nothing in all creation will ever separate us from the Father's love in Christ (Romans 8:35-39). Hallelujah! Death has lost its sting!

1 Corinthians 15:51-57
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (WEB)