July 29 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

At every funeral we experience concretely that death remains an enemy. Once a person breathes his last he is out of our reach. Death is so final. But why do believers need to die if Christ has gained the victory over death? In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul addresses this issue and confirms the glorious gospel of Christ’s victory over death. Death came into the world because of sin. Since Christ conquered sin He has conquered death, too. Death is not a natural part of our existence. Sin brought death into the world but the Lord Jesus came to deliver us from the curse of death. According to God’s counsel and plan, all Christ’s enemies must be brought into subjection to Him. Satan, godless men, sin and death will all be placed under His feet. The last enemy which Christ will destroy is death.

Why is death the last enemy to be subdued? Is it because death is the last of the enemies to enter a person’s life? Although this may be true, the real reason lies elsewhere. Think about it. If Christ had destroyed death right after His resurrection He wouldn’t have been able to finish His work of redemption. For it was the will of the Lord to have the message of Christ’s victory preached to all nations. Death is the last enemy to be destroyed to give Christ the opportunity to gather all His sheep, to gather all who are chosen to everlasting life.

Notice the mercy of God. He delivers His redeemed and takes them out of this sinful life. The Lord takes His loved ones to Himself and releases them from the body of sin. They do not have to wait until the return of His Son to be relieved from the suffering of this present age.

Death is the last enemy to be destroyed. This is comfort for believers in Christ. Those who die in the Lord can be assured that death is the last enemy. It will be destroyed. On the last day the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised. Death will have no dominion over any of God’s children. No child of the Lord will ever die again. The day is coming when the last enemy will be destroyed. God will be with His people and will wipe every tear from their eyes. On that day all God’s children will rejoice together in what has been accomplished for them through Jesus Christ.