Why Christians Must Not Fear Death
Highlight: Here’s the bottom line: death is not the enemy anymore. The One who holds the keys promises never to leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Let’s be real: death is one of the biggest fears out there. It feels mysterious, heavy, and final. But here’s the truth: unless Jesus comes back first, everybody’s gonna face it. And yet, God says we don’t have to live scared. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” (1 John 4:18).
So how do we stop letting death shake us?
Why Does Death Exist?
Back in Eden, God gave Adam and Eve one rule: don’t touch the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). The serpent lied, Eve fell for it, and humanity got hit with the penalty, death (Genesis 3:8-19). Since we all come from Adam, death is part of our story… unless Jesus returns (Matthew 16:24).
What Scripture Says About Death
The Bible doesn’t sugarcoat it: “the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7). “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Death is not the end, it’s the doorway into God’s judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
But here’s the good news: Jesus flipped the script. He died, rose again, and even while His body lay in the tomb, His spirit went to proclaim victory to the spirits in prison (1 Peter 3:19-20). He stormed Hades, declared triumph, and took the keys of death itself (Revelation 1:8).
Paul calls Jesus the “second Adam” who brings life instead of death (1 Corinthians 15:45-58). And then he taunts death with Isaiah’s words: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting?” (vv. 54-55). Through Christ, death has lost its bite.
Why We Shouldn’t Cling to Life
Jesus said it straight: “Anyone who tries to preserve their life will lose it, and anyone who loses their life will save it” (John 17:33). That’s about living boldly for the gospel, even if persecution comes.
God promises reward: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10-12). And Paul reminds us that nothing, not even death, can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:35).
David had the same confidence: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). And Paul adds: “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). Death isn’t the end, it’s sleep until Christ wakes us up (Revelation 22:12).
And one day, death itself will be destroyed: “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14).
Accept Death, Live Fearless
Here’s the bottom line: death is not the enemy anymore. The One who holds the keys promises never to leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). His love is greater than any fear (John 15:3). He has already crushed death, and one day He will erase it forever.
So we don’t tiptoe through life trying to preserve ourselves. We live boldly. We live fearlessly. We live free. Because death is not the end, it’s the beginning of eternity with Christ.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).
That’s the promise. That’s the victory. That’s why Christians must not fear death.
