By Dr. Mark Creech
Most of us don’t grapple with the reality of death. Even though family members and friends around us are passing, we don’t think too much about it. Yet the Scriptures admonish us, “Prepare to meet your God” (Amos 4:12). We ought to think about death and prepare for it, because after death, the Bible says, “comes judgment” (Heb. 9:27).
The reality of death demands self-examination. Here are some critical questions to help with that examination.
Are you sure that if you were to die today that you would go to heaven?
Have you recognized your sinful condition before God?
Have you comprehended how your sins separate, alienate, and put you at enmity with Him?
Did you know that your sins are so great in the sight of God that it took the sinless Son of God, Jesus Christ, to come and live the perfect life God requires of you, and then die and shed his innocent blood on a cruel Cross as atonement for your sins?
Were you aware that a personal relationship with Christ is the one and only means of making peace with God?
Were you aware that when Jesus rose from the dead, God set his stamp of approval on what Christ did in your behalf, making it so that you could receive the forgiveness of sins and eternal life as a free gift by faith?
Have you called upon Christ to save you – to come into your life and forgive you of your sins? Have you committed yourself to Him as Lord?
Have you determined that with God’s help you’re going to bring your life into line with God’s commandments?
You should be able to answer each of these questions in the affirmative. IF YOU CANNOT RESPOND TO THESE QUESTIONS WITH “YES,” THEN IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT YOU ARE PREPARED TO DIE.
Proverbs 27:1 admonishes, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” The Psalmist said, “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is” (Psalm 39:4).
Perhaps it’s time for you to examine yourself in preparation for death. But don’t take the examination and then fail to prepare – that will only compound your judgment.
