THE RIGHTEOUS HAVE HOPE IN DEATH
Death is identified in scripture as an enemy. Paul wrote, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (I Corinthians 15:26). Ever since death came into the world, it has been an enemy that has caused great dread and fear. To some, nothing could be more terrifying than contemplating death.
However, the Bible teaches that the righteous have no reason to fear death. Consider Proverbs 14:32, “The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.” In this passage, there is a contrast between the death of the wicked and the death of the righteous. Notice that the “wicked is driven away” in death. An unrighteous man has reason to fear death because he is not prepared to meet God. Therefore, a wicked man may cling to life, afraid to die, knowing he is lost. He does not die calmly and in peace; rather, he is “driven” away.
Consider also that the wicked man is driven away “in his wickedness.” This indicates that the unrepentant, wicked person dies in sin. Jesus warned, “If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). Dying in sin is the greatest tragedy that could happen to any person!
On the other hand, Proverbs 16:32 makes it clear that the “righteous” die in hope. The Old Testament does not provide much detail about the hope of heaven. But even the Old Testament makes it clear that the righteous die in hope! The New Testament reveals that the hope of Christians is eternal life in heaven (Colossians 1:5; Titus 1:2).
In order to have such hope in death, one must be “righteous.” A righteous person is one who has been declared, by God, to be righteous. Paul affirmed that one obtains righteousness by obeying the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16-17; 6:16-18). Having obeyed the gospel, one must live soberly, righteously and godly (Titus 2:11-12). To live “righteously” means that one strives to do the Lord’s will. While there is no responsible person who lives above sin, those who are righteous do not allow sin to reign over them. When a righteous person stumbles, he gets up, repents of his sin and goes on serving the Lord.
Yes, dear reader, death is an enemy who will one day come to you. The unrighteous die in sin; the righteous die in hope. In view of these thoughts, each one should ask: “Am I righteous?” “If I died today, would I die in hope?” These are serious, sobering questions we should all ask and answer.
