For those who suffer long and debilitating illness death can be a sweet release. On March 1st 1980 Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones went home to be with the Lord. During his final days on earth, he wrote “Do not pray for healing. Do not hold me back from the glory.” Lloyd-Jones had peace with God and knew where he was heading. He did not want his family, friends and fellow Christians to pray for healing as he was ready to go home to glory.

At death, the body and soul are separated. The soul of a Christian goes to heaven and the body is buried in the grave. 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, “we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” There is great joy in death for the Christian because to be with God is far better. In January 2021 my mother went home to be with the Lord. I had the honour and privilege of sharing the gospel at her funeral service. During her eulogy I told the mourners about the joy and peace she had in Christ and that knowledge and assurance in her heart of her eternal rest in God’s kingdom.

Death is our porter to our heavenly bliss. Death is the funeral of all our sins and misery. For the first time ever the Christian soul will be without sin. These are but a few of the benefits of death for the believer. The child of God can say boldly, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

In death, our souls are made perfect. As we enter glory all our sin is removed. Never again will we mourn over our sins. The question for us to consider today is this. Are we looking unto Christ and living a life worthy of Christ’s name? The Lord Jesus Christ died for you to live. Will you live for him and die a righteous death knowing that you have served your Lord and Saviour well on earth?