Dear Christian friends:

When a young man dies people say, "Too bad!" When an old man dies, especially if he was sick for a long time they say, "He is better off!" This is how many people think and judge about someone's death, but God judges and thinks differently. Youth or age have nothing to do with it; also sickness or health have nothing to do with it either. Also whether the person was good or bad has little to do with it. The Bible says that


The Bible clearly shows that those who die with faith in Jesus are "better off" in death and that those who die without faith in Jesus are "worse off," regardless if they were young or old, sick or well, rich or poor, good or bad. Jesus Himself says, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved and he that believes not shall be condemned." (Mark 16:16)

It is faith in Jesus or not, that decides whether someone is "better off" or "worse off" in death. By faith in Jesus a person receives forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God in heaven. Without faith in Jesus a person is condemned to eternal death. Because of Jesus God forgives sins, and without Jesus there is no forgiveness. We just read in Psalm 90, "Because thou art angry, we die; and through they anger we are frightened. Thou takest our sins before Thee; Thy face seeth our secret sins." (Psalm 90:7-8)

We are all helpless sinners before God, and we can only confess our sins and plead for His mercy. Because of His great mercy God has sent His only Son to be our Savior. (Galatians 4:4-5 and John 3:16) Those who confess their sins and that they are sinners and believe in Jesus have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. They are "better off" in death. Those who do not confess their sins and do not believe in Jesus are "worse off" in death.

Those who believe in Jesus are "better off" in death. Why? Here on earth we are not yet fully and perfectly with Jesus, but in death we are fully and perfectly united with Jesus, our dear Lord and Savior. Then nothing can bother our love and worship and friendship with Jesus anymore. The Bible tells us that when the Christian dies he has full salvation from sin, temptation and all trouble.

David writes, "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11) And John tells us that we shall sorrow no more and there shall be no more sickness, pain or death and that God Himself shall wipe away all tears from our eyes." (Revelation 7:17, etc.)

With Jesus in heaven the Christian is not only "better off", but "much better off!" Paul says, "I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better."

This is our comfort and hope as we today say goodbye to our friend, --------------. Before I close I must ask you to consider carefully what has been preached today. Ask yourself this question: "Will I be "better off" in death?

Amen.