Is it a sin to fear death?

[Ddavid from NC]

John Piper in his article Don't Waste Your Cancer declares that we can miss a spiritual blessing when we seek a cure instead of an encounter with God.

[EricH]

John Piper in his article Don't Waste Your Cancer declares that we can miss a spiritual blessing when we seek a cure instead of an encounter with God.

They may not be mutually exclusive. I don't think it is unbiblical to seek healing. That could be part of our encounter with God. But if get so focused on being healed that we ignore what God is trying to say, that can be an issue

[Abigailwc]

To fear means that one does not trust God. Imo, the only time we should fear for someone's death is if we know that that person is not a Child of God, meaning they do not have eternal life.

[Ddavid from NC]

John Piper in his article Don't Waste Your Cancer declares that we can miss a spiritual blessing when we seek a cure instead of an encounter with God.

They may not be mutually exclusive. I don't think it is unbiblical to seek healing. That could be part of our encounter with God. But if get so focused on being healed that we ignore what God is trying to say, that can be an issue

That is the point exactly!

[Massorite]

People pray hard and we solicit prayer feverishly when we or someone we know is facing a health crisis that could lead to death. It seems that some are praying motivated from a fear of death or desire to avoid the cessation of physical life. Is it a sin to respond in this way? Certainly, faith in God that is required prays for holiness or separation from this sinful world. Scriptures say that we are supposed to yearn for the Redemption of our souls. Is this something to pray Lord stall or Lord hasten that day according to you will?

In Revelation 22:8 runs through a small list f those who will have their part in the second death and the very first kind of person listed is a person who has fear. or the fearful. So the question is "What is it that we would have a fear of that would send us into the second death"?

I believe that a fear of death would be one of those fears because it would show a weakened faith. But not having a fear of death I believe is easier said then done. But then again true faith in the promises of God would have no fears of anything in this world including death.

As for me I am not afraid of dying because I know what is on the other side. But then again I am not facing death so I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

[Massorite]

when i worked at the hospice home for the AIDS patients i was with 25 of them as they passed and it was part of my ministry as well. and i have to tell you that except for maybe 2 of them?

there at the very end of their lives , they all talked to someone and they all saw something that comforted them and they were able to let go peacefully and with total surrender.

this made me not fear death so much as long as i have someone with me when i die. none of them ever died alone and i was blessed to have been able to pray with them and comfort them as well as hold them as they made that final journey.

and like i said because of this i dont fear death i just hope i have someone like me with me at the end of my journey as well. (i hope that doesnt sound conceited )

lv yr sis in christ

maniedon'tdoesn't

Good. But were they saved or decieved. If they were not saved and they knew they were about to suffer an eternity without God. Would they have gone so peacefully? Having some one there when you die is certainly a comfort but what if you were alone? Would you have fear or would you know that God was about to bless you. Or better yet would really be dying alone or would be dying with Jesus at your side. That I think is the question we all should ask our selves.

If we were dying all alone would we know that Jesus was right beside us waiting for us or would we have a fear of the unknown.

[OneLight]

Death, something that every living person has to face. Your question of fearing death is a real one. If I were living as a sinner, not trying to walk with God, I would not have the inner peace of Him and would fear what was next, unless I firmly believed that there is nothing after death. Knowing I have an inner peace with Him, I do not fear death. I may be considered strange, but I welcome it to a point. I know that when I die, if I continue to walk according to His will, that my eternity is secure in Him and that I will then be with Him for eternity. What is to fear in that? The only thing that I wonder about is if I did do all that He had for me to do, but by that time, it is too late to be wondering this, is it not?

As it has been mentioned by Believer, it is His will that I seek above all. If He wills me to live, then prayers for my life will be heard and I will have a witness that I am still here for a reason. If it is His will that I pass, then so be it, and I hope that everyone will accept this and rejoice that I have gone to be with Him.

Peace in death is only found in those who are in Gods will. Those who are not in His will, but are in a lot of pain, find relief in dying, but is there really any true inner peace in their death?

[Sir Gareth]

I concede that is a good point, it is very possible that Jesus wept because of the lack of faith of his beleivers.

However, looking back at the many other instances when people, even the 12 and other disciples, doubted him, Jesus did not openly weep but became more frustrated ('How long must I put up with this generation?')

Though, as I said, you do make a good point, the doubting of his ability to bring Lazarus back-even after he had raised other dead people-could have been the emotional straw that broke the divine camel's back.

[Massorite]

when i worked at the hospice home for the AIDS patients i was with 25 of them as they passed and it was part of my ministry as well. and i have to tell you that except for maybe 2 of them?

there at the very end of their lives , they all talked to someone and they all saw something that comforted them and they were able to let go peacefully and with total surrender.

this made me not fear death so much as long as i have someone with me when i die. none of them ever died alone and i was blessed to have been able to pray with them and comfort them as well as hold them as they made that final journey.

and like i said because of this i dont fear death i just hope i have someone like me with me at the end of my journey as well. (i hope that doesnt sound conceited )

lv yr sis in christ

maniedon'tdoesn't

Good. But were they saved or decieved. If they were not saved and they knew they were about to suffer an eternity without God. Would they have gone so peacefully? Having some one there when you die is certainly a comfort but what if you were alone? Would you have fear or would you know that God was about to bless you. Or better yet would really be dying alone or would be dying with Jesus at your side. That I think is the question we all should ask our selves.

If we were dying all alone would we know that Jesus was right beside us waiting for us or would we have a fear of the unknown.

praise God they were all saved!!! as far as wanting someone with me when i die? i am not talking about wanting them there for the spiritual fear of death mostly i mean the physical part of death as well!! for most of them that was the hardest part for them and i managed to keep most of the pain away so that they could pass peacefully. i know that when i die im gonna have Jesus by my side but i still honestly dont want to have pain either.

lv yr sis in christ

manie

Thats wonderful manie. Did you have a hand in bringing them to Christ?

[Massorite]

I concede that is a good point, it is very possible that Jesus wept because of the lack of faith of his beleivers.

However, looking back at the many other instances when people, even the 12 and other disciples, doubted him, Jesus did not openly weep but became more frustrated ('How long must I put up with this generation?')

Though, as I said, you do make a good point, the doubting of his ability to bring Lazarus back-even after he had raised other dead people-could have been the emotional straw that broke the divine camel's back.

Onelite put it perfectly. Christ was perfect and if the lashes didn't brack His divine back a little doubt wouldn't do it