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As a Christian, there is a certain aspect of life in which we believe there should be no fear in death, since through death we would be freed from the constraints of this broken world and eventually get to Heaven. There is common belief amongst everyone, through phrases such as “They’re in a better place now” when someone we love passes on, that they are already in another place. This is not true, for they are simply resting (1 Cor. 15:20-24 [show] [20]But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [21]For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. [22]For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. [23]But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. [24]Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. (ESV)
, Rev 20:5 [show] [5]The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. (ESV)
??). There are better Bible references for this, I just can’t find them at the moment, but my understanding and belief is that when you die you are simply resting, or sleeping. However, when your physical body dies, your soul no longer remains constrained by our understanding of time. In theory you could be dead for centuries but in your “slumber” have only felt it to be a minuscule amount of time.

This post is not going to talk about the aspect of death, and whether someone who is saved through Christ automatically enters Heaven upon death.

This post is touching upon the question “Are you ready to die?” To several adult Christians, those who have borderline adult children (ie. in post-secondary studies or graduated and working now) and are fine with their finances, they may reply “Yes, I’m ready”. But are they? As Christians, we have the Great Commission to essentially “go forth and make disciples of every nation, preaching the Good News” (Matt 28:16-20 [show] [16]Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. [17]And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. [18]And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19]Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20]teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (ESV)
, Mark 16:14-18 [show] [14]Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. [15]And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. [16]Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. [17]And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [18]they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." (ESV)
, Luke 24:44-49 [show] [44]Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." [45]Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, [46]and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, [47]and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48]You are witnesses of these things. [49]And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." (ESV)
). With this being said, that our role in life is to fulfill the Great Commission, theoretically we should not be satisfied with our lives to the point of being ready to die, if the entire world has not been told/shown/exemplified God’s Word and believe in Christ’s sacrifice made for all.

Being free in Christ from our sin, and our knowledge that we will reach the presence of our Father, brings peace to our hearts as Christians to accept our freedom from this world through death, but by no means should we say “I am ready to die” when we still have friends, family and strangers that have not heard, or accepted, the Gospel yet (ie. The Great Commissioned is incomplete).

But what about those that have had their hearts hardened, their ears shut, their eyes closed, to the gospel? Although we as Christians are commanded to evangelise, in the end it is tribune God which speaks to the heart of those we evangelise to. It is in His time which they understand their redemption through Christ, and not by our HUMAN means. We must remember that it is not us as humans which makes one believe, but it is God which stirs the heart.

There are so many things you have not done yet for this world and your God, to be ready to die.

“Grey Christianity” is a mini-series of commentaries and questions devoted to tackling some of the issues which come to my mind as a Christian. I take no authority whatsoever over what I say, and hope there aren’t misquotes of scripture, in the rare occurrences I actually quote scripture.

These posts are meant as discussion of these issues, not as avenues for people to smash Christianity. Do not waste our time if you plan to troll.