Why Death? Why Life?

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. –Romans 8:11

Often, and particularly when we are at a funeral, we ask the question, “Why death?” However, I have found that the more pressing question is, “Why life?” Why are we alive? If we can grasp the deeper issue of what the purpose of life is, then death immediately loses its sting.

It is important to understand that LIFE is JESUS. God had to become a man in order to reveal how His creation worked. The inventor became the invention. He was LIFE on earth, and He conquered everything that works against LIFE and returned to heaven as the Son of Man. God will never forget us, for at His right hand is a constant reminder of His commitment to us. Jesus is God, but also a victorious Man seated next to the Father. To forget man, God would need to forget His Son. Impossible!

There are two primary revelations that existence on earth brings to mankind. First, as the world squeezes us, we eventually come to the realization that we cannot live life on earth. At this point, Jesus makes His offer. “I lived on earth and overcame. Invite Me to live in you, and I will live life on earth through you.” This is not to say we are robots; it is merely a recognition that the LIFE that lived successfully on earth is now in heaven with the ability to enter all men, making them sons of God. Second, once Christ enters our lives, the pressure of the earth continues in order that the new LIFE we have within might be revealed. Having enemies reveals that we have a LIFE within that can love an enemy. Being offended reveals the LIFE that dwells within that can return a blessing. There is a saying among believers that actually is Buddhist in origin and says, “Life stinks, but God is good.” No! If stinking life reveals the true LIFE in me, then even stinking life is good. I want all that the world throws at me, for each time I am assaulted, three things happen. First, I try to fix it all, then I give up, and the Lord fixes me! Each so-called rotten event releases HIS LIFE, and my God keeps getting bigger and bigger than events or circumstances.

Why life? To receive and display HIS LIFE! Death is a continuation of that and is not frightening.