God is Glorified When Sick Saints Die

[dddoo7]

It is said in our world that there are only two things that are absolutely unavoidable: Death and Taxes. Both of these are typically viewed as dreaded things and things to be avoided at all costs. Death is a topic that is often avoided due to its dreaded and morbid nature. It is something that people just don’t want to consider or discuss.
Why is death such a difficult topic? We all know what happens at death. We know that the physical body is separated from the soul (James 2:26). We know that the physical body is placed in the ground and returns to dust and the soul returns to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7). We know that death is an appointment that all men will keep with God (Hebrews 9:27).

Why is death often such a dreaded event? Why do we look at death as a troublesome and difficult time?

Sometimes death is troublesome because the one dying is not ready to stand before God in judgment. As Hebrews 9:27 states, after death is judgment. If one is not ready for Judgment, then death is a very scary moment to be dreaded and feared more than anything else.

Sometimes death is more troublesome because we are physical and tend to forget the spiritual. Yes, death brings a physical separation, but for those who are faithful to God, it also brings about a great rest, a reward, eternal life (Romans 2:7, Revelation 22:12, Hebrews 4:3).
Sometimes God is glorified when sick saints recover from their illness. Sometimes the good example and the teaching that the godly will leave behind will have a lasting effect on those the righteous come in contact with. Paul described his struggle with this concept (Philippians 1:23-24). His desire was to go on to heaven, but he also knew that it was better for them if he could stay to help and teach them. Sometimes God is glorified when sick saints get well.

Other times, God is glorified when sick saints die. When a faithful saint passes from this life and into eternity the struggle is complete. That saint has left the pain, sickness, and evil of this life and their soul has returned to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7). When faithful saints die, their battle is over, their victory is won, and their reward awaits (1 Corinthians 15:55-58). There is a great comfort in knowing that a loved who passed on was faithful to God.

Death is often a dreaded event that everyone eventually faces. We often are faced with the sting of death long before we even consider ourselves to be a candidate of death. However, the sting that death holds is only due to sin. When we are forgiven in Christ and living faithful, death brings victory!