Facing Death

Though difficult times are coming, do not be discouraged.

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, ‘There is peace and security’, then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

In his letter to the church in Thessalonika, Paul writes that the end times should not be of concern for those who believe.

We don't like to think about death.  It is better to focus on life, even though we know deep down that one day we will all die.  

The current pandemic has made that reality very clear, with the threat of contracting the virus just by going about our daily lives.  That's what Paul is talking about, how it can come like a thief in the night.

So, are we ok with that?

Should we stop living to avoid the possibility of coming in contact with someone who may be infected?

If we are not worried about death, we won't change our routine.  But who isn't worried about death?

Paul says we who have faith should not worry.  We will enjoy salvation with Christ.  True, we say, but when?

More to come...