Yes, You’re Going to Die

Why considering our own death is vitally important.

The other night as I was tucking my oldest daughter into bed. After I asked her if she had a good day, she responded, “Yeah.” I’m always glad to hear that, so I said: “Any day alive is a good day.” Innocent enough, right?

She replied, “Am I going to die?”

I froze monetarily, and then told myself I had to be honest.

“Yes, Jo, you’re going to die—hopefully a long, long, time from now.”

She had the deer-in-the-headlights look. “Why?” she responded.

It was late, so I didn’t want to explain too much because she was tired, but when she asked the Why? question, I knew I needed to briefly explain the gospel.

Here was my answer: “You know how I’ve told you God created the entire world, and that He also created Adam and Eve, the first people? Well, He created them originally to not die. Death wasn’t part of the plan. God created things “good.” But then Adam and Even disobeyed God—they sinned. Because of their sin, that resulted in there being death. So, the only reason we all will die is because sin is in the world, because that’s the consequence of sin. But, Jovi, that’s why Jesus came! Jesus died for you so that, even though you will die one, you’ll get to be with God forever in Heaven if you trust in Jesus and what He did for you!”

It took me by surprise to hear Jovi ask such a question—Am I going to die? But she always has been a curious child. And Shale and I have never shied away from sharing God’s design for our lives and why we are really here. Because of that, it would’ve been wrong of me to say, “No, Jovi, you’ll never die,” or even, “Let’s talk about that tomorrow,” and hope she forgets.

Answering her question, however, made me think. We adults—and, really, anyone old enough—understand death happens. Like I told my daughter, it’s a result of the fall of man (Romans 6:23). We all know that one day, hopefully long from now, we will all die.

Robert Rothwell said this in an article at Ligonier:

People die every day. Babies, teenagers, young mothers, middle-age fathers, the elderly—death is no respecter of persons. It’s not exactly true that the only sure things in life are death and taxes. You can avoid taxes. If you’re willing to put up with jail time, you need not pay the tax man. Death, on the other hand, is certain.

The problem, though, is most people don’t care to talk or think about death. I understand. Death is not fun to talk about or give much thought to. We only think about death when we have to—our imminent death or the death of a loved one, friend, or someone else. (The entire world pondered death when NFL player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest mid-game.) But we cannot afford to think of our own mortality only when it seems soon. We must think about it now. Ignoring death only leads to ignorance when the time comes (Ecclesiastes 7:4).

What we must do, then, is be okay with thinking about death. There are several reasons why we should. Here’s two.

Number our Days

“So teach us to number our days,” Psalm 90:12 states, “that we may get a heart of wisdom” (ESV). It is foolish, irresponsible, and unwise to live life not thinking about death. Perhaps the reason many don’t is because the thought is terrifying. I understand that. But because death is a certainty for us all, we must give it the time of day.

We must, as the psalmist writes, “number our days.” We must reckon with the fact that we will die one day, leaving others behind. When we come to terms with this, and begin to number our days, we are living life wisely under the sovereign care and providence of God.

When we number my days, we can ensure we’re living each day to the fullest; not in the self-help, prosperity sort of way, but in the we’re-living-for-Jesus-and-dying-to-self sort of way. We can live our lives “to the fullest” all we please, but if we’re not in Christ, that full life will eventually send us to Hell upon our death.

By numbering our days, we are humbly acknowledging God is in control of not only life, but death; that He is the giver and taker of life (Job 1:21). We are admitting we’re the creation, He is the Creator. Our life is in His hands.

Look to our Only Hope

More than numbering our days, pondering death points us ultimately to Jesus Christ Himself, our only hope. I believe the reason many are apathetic to the topic of death is not so much fear, but uneasiness about the afterlife because it pushes them to consider their own hearts.

It’s not easy to do that. I get it. Self-reflection—one that ends with admitting we need a Savior!—is not natural for us sinners. But this is why it’s imperative to consider death, to ponder mortality, to think about dying. It’s coming. And unfortunately, for some, it comes sooner than later. This is all the more reason to think about death, for it pushes us to our only hope, Jesus.

It’s in pondering death that, by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, once rebellious sinners come to see their sin and see Jesus as the remedy. When unbelievers don’t consider death, they likely won’t consider Jesus. But we believers, even in Christ, should ponder death, as it helps us continue placing our trust in Christ Jesus.

So, friend, let me challenge you with this: think about death. Think about your death. Make it personal. Consider the implications of impending death for everyday life. But don’t linger there. Make a beeline for the gospel of Jesus Christ, for that is the answer to death, to sin, to Satan.