EXTRICATED FROM DEATH
…who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10)
The Bible records that in ancient times, humans lived for exceptionally long periods with lifespans exceeding 900 years. However, as sin increased, lifespans diminished. Genesis 6:3 says because of sin, man’slifespan was limited to 120 years.
Moses, in his psalms, made an observation that due to sin, the typical lifespan of man was seventy years or eighty for those who were stronger. Even in old age, man’s life was filled with toil and sorrow, ultimately ending indeath (Psalm 90:8-10). The Lord Jesus, however, came to address the root cause of this limitation, which is sin.
Through His sacrifice, He provided salvation from sin and made eternal life possible. Eternal life includes *“deathlessness.”* When you were born again, you passed from death to life (John 5:24). Recall what we read in our theme scripture; it says Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light. To abolish means to do away with, to get rid of, or to cancel. The Lord Jesus cancelled death; He got rid of it and gave us a life that’s superior to death; a life that’s death-proof.
Now you can understand why the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:55, *“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”* The Lord Himself proved that death has no sting or victory when, after three days in the grave, He arose triumphantly back to life. Why then do Christians die? For many, it’s a result of ignorance (Psalm 82:5-7) and also because of the consciousness and fear of death. We’ll learn a bit more about the fear of death in our next study.
You might ask, *“Pastor Chris, are you saying we are not supposed to die?”* Absolutely! We have the potential to live beyond the confines of earthly limitations. The Bible lets us know that many of us will be alive and physically raptured from the earth when the trumpet sounds (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The Church needs to grasp and walk in the light of this truth.
The life you have is the God-life, the divine life; it’s not subject to Satan, sickness, disease, death and the corrupting influences of this world. 2 Peter 1:4 says we’re partakers of the divine nature and have escaped the corruption that’s in the world. Death is one of those *“corruptions”* from which you’ve been extricated. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION
I refuse to be bound by the consciousness of death or the limitations of this world. I walk in the fullness of the life and victory that Christ has obtained for me, and I live in health, strength and vitality. I live out the transcendent life, demonstrating the power and glory of God in all areas of my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Hebrews 2:14-15, Mark 9:1 NIV, 1 Corinthians 15:51-56
1 Year Bible Reading Plan : 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 & Psalms 139-141
2 Year Bible Reading Plan : Colossians 3:1-11 & Jeremiah 12
