The Doctrine of Fear - Publications - Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries / Grace Bible Church

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The Doctrine of Fear

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The believer has no control over the time, place or manner of his death; it is a matter of God’s sovereignty, wisdom and integrity. Until the Lord is ready to take us home to be with Him, we are going to continue to live on this earth. Mankind has no authority or choice over when or how he will die.

No man has authority to restrain the wind with the wind, or authority over the day of death; (ECC 8:8a)

The dying stage of a Christian’s life may be short or it may be prolonged, it may be a period of suffering or it may be pain free. Whatever it is, it will be perfect because God is perfect and all of His decisions are perfect. He is never wrong, unfair or unjust. Anytime you become critical or upset, blaming God for a decision He has made concerning death, take a step back and remember: He is never wrong, He can never make a mistake, and everything that He has ordained is perfect and right. Since the omniscience of God knows all of the facts in each individual case, the matter of the physical death of a believer is always a wise decision.

2. Death has lost its power over the believer. The greatest encouragement in the world that each and every believer should take to heart is the absolute truth that death has lost its power over him.

He will swallow up death for all time, and the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces, (ISA 25:8a)

For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. (1CO 15:16-26)

But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through Our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1CO 15:54-57)

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