My friend died on KGB

My friend, Bill Arndt, was traveling home this week and died on Knik-Goose Bay Road. Another vehicle lost control less than a mile from his home and slid into his lane. Bill planned to retire in six months. He even had a retirement calendar counting down the days. Despite the best efforts of troopers and paramedics, Bill died.

His wife returning home from work was stuck in traffic behind the accident. She tried calling her husband to warn him about the traffic delay. He didn’t answer his cell phone. She took a different route home. When he didn’t return home she called the troopers. They told her the tragic news.

Where do we find comfort in the midst of such a terrible situation? How do encourage others and ourselves especially at this time of year? The accident occurred last night (December 9). I woke up this morning hoping it was a nightmare- just a bad dream that would go away. Where do we find answers?

We find answers in the Bible. The best source of comfort is Scripture. Charles Spurgeon preached a very famous sermon on Job 5:26 in the late 1800’s. Job 5:26 says, “You shall come to your grave in a full age, like a shock of corn gathered up in its season.” Four points are made from this verse.

First, the death of a Christian is inevitable. The verse begins, “You shall come….” Every person must die. In fact, the Bible says, “It is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Even Jesus had to die.

The word death means separation. We consist of two parts- body and soul. There is a material part (our bodies) and an immaterial part (our souls). Death is a separation. The body dies but the soul departs. When Jesus died He prayed, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46). Death is inevitable.

Second, death for a Christian is acceptable. Job’s friend said, “You shall come to your grave….” A believer is not dragged into eternity but we come into eternity. Jesus came to take away even the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15). 1 Corinthians 15 is a very long chapter- 58 verses. The entire chapter deals with the resurrection. The chapter deals with life after death.

Death is not the end for a Christian. Death is the beginning. The Bible says that we step into the very presence of God. It is a much better place (Philippians 1:21).

Third, death for a Christian is timely. Job 5:26 says, “You shall come to your grave in a full age….” The Bible is clear. No Christian dies until God’s will for us is complete. Psalm 139:16 says, “Your eyes saw my substance; in Your book they were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.” Before our birth God sovereignly planned our lives.

Jesus asked, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:27). We are all born with an expiration date. When God’s will for our lives is complete, we step into eternity.

Fourth, the death of a Christian is honorable. “You shall come to your grave in a full age, like a shock of corn gathered up in its season.” The picture is God gathering the harvest into His barn. Psalm 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” God cares deeply when His loved ones die. Luke 16:22 teaches that believers are carried by the angels into God’s presence.

When a person repents and by faith puts their trust in the work of Jesus for salvation, they are adopted into God’s family. The Bible describes this as being “born again” (John 3:3). We become God’s children. Death is the process of going home. We step from this life into the next life.

All of this is possible because Jesus left heaven and became the God-Man. He was born of a virgin. He lived a perfect life. He died on the cross for our sins. When you put your faith in Jesus, His active obedience (His perfect life) and His passive obedience (His perfect sacrifice on the cross) become yours. They are applied to your life.

Living in Alaska with icy roads and changing temperatures we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Are you ready to die today? Bill was ready. He is in heaven in the Lord’s presence. Are you ready today?

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.