The Birth that Ended Death

1 Corinthians 15:22
“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

People ask, “Why is there death and suffering in the world? Is this the way God wants it?” The Bible’s clear answer is an emphatic “No!” The world God created in the beginning had no death, suffering or disease. When God created mankind, man knew God with a perfect knowledge and was happy with that knowledge. God and man communicated with each other more simply and easily than we can between ourselves today. This is what God wanted for man.

However, God did not create robots. He wants us to love Him, but this involves our will to do so and the choice not to do so. God warned us that choosing not to love Him, or turning our back on Him, would result in death. We have to admit that even Christians sometimes withdraw their love for God. The resulting suffering in this world is only a warning of the eternal consequences of our sin.

God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ and died for us that our death may not be eternal. Jesus lived a perfect and sinless life and, while He deserved no punishment for sin, He willingly suffered that punishment on our behalf. His resurrection from the dead was God the Father’s signal that He had accepted Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf. In Christ, our death has become a mere passage to eternal life.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I confess that I will never understand the depth of Your love for me while I am in this world. But I believe that You have indeed rescued me from sin, death and the devil. Help my unbelief. Amen.

Notes:
Illustration: Although not technically a Christian cross, the Chi-Rho invokes the crucifixion of Jesus, as well as symbolizing His status as the Christ.