The fervor that many Christians display over the course of different issues is a sight to behold. When the Believer sets his eyes and mind on a determined subject, there is a commitment to present and defend the issue “till death do them part.” The more controversial the theme, the more attention and energy is spent on presenting and defending their preconceived beliefs on the subject. The problem arises when they pick and chose with what they feel comfortable, and ignore the issues in which the Church should be involved. When the Holy Spirit does not direct involvement in certain issues, there is the danger of going ahead of God, and consequently, the danger of causing a division within the Church.
The subject of Abortion has entered the Christians priority list as an issue of extreme involvement. The Church has waged a war against the proponents of Abortion instead of being a presenter of God’s Word. The “pro life” responders are to be commended for their commitment, but they should be aware that all life is precious, not just the unborn, not just for those coming into life, but for those who are about to leave this life. To what degree should the Church be involved with the terminally ill? What about assisted Suicide? What should be the Believers stand on the movement that promotes the individual’s right to choose when and how they will die? Across this land there are many organizations that are dedicated to helping people terminate their lives with “dignity.” When the individual is to the point that no medical remedy is available and that countless days of suffering await them, should they not have the option to end their life? The life issue is not only entering life, but leaving this life also. Where are the Christian zealots who defend the unborn fetus, but are no where around when it comes to defending life at the other end of the spectrum? Maybe they feel entering life is more important than leaving life.
What should be the position of the Christian when it comes to the issue of assisted suicide? What should their response be to the terminal and suffering individual? Should the Church sit back and watch as organizations help people leave this life? What about their afterlife experience? There are only two places awaiting their earthly departure, Heaven or Hell. Do those who assist death realize that when they help the patient with a “dignified” departure, they might be responsible for sending an individual into an eternity separate from God? Many of these “right to death” organizations are made up of Atheist and Agnostics. They want to act like God, but don’t believe there is a God.
The Christian is to represent God, not be in competition with God. Our manual of life is the Bible. Within the pages of God Word is the answer to every problem and situation that life may throw at us. Human reasoning may try to trump God’s Word, but we must realize His ways are not always our ways. What the terminal and suffering people need is someone to be at their side through their most difficult days. We are called to be burden bearers not pall bearers, life assisters not death helpers. Let the Church know resolutely that it is God which gives life and only He takes it. Many are suffering with no Christian contact, because the church is so preoccupied with the unborn fetus. Let us take the suffering by the hand, let us hold them and bath them in God’s Word. All life is precious, let us not forget it.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW
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Hi Paul,
Liked your article which reminds us that God is interested in both the end and the beginning. Maybe that's why His names include Alpha and Omega.
One point I'd like to make is that we may also need to discuss the fact that with our modern technology we can also keep people alive who would normally die. Just as we are concerned about those who play God and take life, we ought to do some thinking about those who refuse to let people die.
Paul would have been happy to die, and some of his bold actions got him close to it, and yet he also wanted to stay for others.
The christian or biblical perspective on death is all about hope, not fear.
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