A natural thing?

“Death is a natural thing. It’s just a part of the cycle of life.”

Have you ever heard that before?

Is it true?

Yes…and no.

In a world broken by sin, it is a natural thing. As Paul said, the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)

But God originally created us as eternal beings. 

If death were truly natural, people wouldn’t fight the thought of death. But as it is, they have to convince themselves that it is a “natural” thing.

Deep down, all people realize what Solomon did: death is evil. (Ecclesiastes 9:3)

And death comes for all people, sometimes more suddenly than we expect. (2, 11-12)

How do we respond to that knowledge? 

We could despair. To rage at the evil that death is. 

We could also waste a lot of our short time here on earth on worthless things like hatred and envy.  

Or we could do as Solomon says and enjoy the gift of life we have been given, fleeting though it may be. We could use the time we have to show love to the people we care about. (6-9) 

We could use our minds and our bodies that God has blessed us with to glorify him in our work, in our leisure, and in everything else we do. (10, Colossians 3:17)

The question, though, is why bother? What’s the point of it all?

The point is that the grave is not the end. 

Jesus said, “Because I live, you will live too.” (John 14:19)

And ultimately,

The righteous, the wise, and their works are in God’s hands. (Ecclesiastes 9:1)

So let us not live in despair because of the prospect of death. Rather, let us sing with Solomon’s father David.

I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure. 

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption. 

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:8-11, ESV)