“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)

When we receive word that a loved one has died—even when it’s expected—we gasp. The news punches our heart; our soul aches. Death often possesses a painful finality.

Sin and death are directly related—sin brought about death’s reign with all its dread and darkness. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). And both sin and death came about as a result of Adam’s fall. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men” (Romans 5:12).

But if sin and death stand together, they’re also defeated together; the cross of Christ conquers both! “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). “The sting of death is sin . . . . But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:56–57).

We praise God that through Christ, death has no more power over believers. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14).

For the one who believes in Jesus, death is simply a doorway to the eternal life that has been promised us (John 3:16)—let us face it with courageous joy! “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39). Christ is risen and nothing can separate us from Him! MJS