We all have an appointment with death that shall be kept (Hebrews 9:27). “What man can live and not see death?” (Psalm 89:48).
In what state will we die? Most will die in sin, but we can die in Christ with the righteous. A most interesting statement is made in 2 Samuel 3:33. David spoke of dying “as a fool.” Jesus referred to one as a fool hours before his death (Luke 12:20). Ponder the thought of dying as a fool in the following ways.
Dying without Ever Having Obeyed the Gospel. Matthew 7:24–27 speaks of the wise and the foolish. The wise obey the Lord’s commands and the foolish fail to obey (Romans 6:17–18). Those who fail to obey will be punished forever (2 Thessalonians l:7–9). You surely plan to listen to the Lord’s will, believe it, repent of sin, confess Jesus before others, and be baptized. Time and opportunity could be limited. Don’t die as a fool.
Dying in an Unfaithful State. Ga1atians 3:1 refers to those living in an unfaithful state as being foolish (cf. 2 Peter 2:20–22; Matthew 13:41–43). Why have you left the Lord? Is He not still worthy of your service and worship? In this state, you are apart from grace (Ga1atians 5:4). Repent, change, and be restored (Acts 8:22–24) before death claims you.
Dying in Ungodliness. It certainly would be foolish for a person to die in a state of ungodliness. Sin separates man from God (Isaiah 59:1–2). One cannot go where the Lord is if that person dies in sin (John 8:21; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Ga1atians 5:19–21). Blessed are the pure in heart and the holy, for they shall see heaven (Matthew 5:8; Hebrews 12:14).
Dying While Living Solely for the Present. The rich farmer (Luke 12) and the rich man (Luke 16) lived solely for the present. How foolish to fail to prepare for eternity.
Dying in a State of Indifference. Five virgins were called foolish because they failed to adequately prepare (Matthew 25:1–13). The Laodiceans, the Ephesians, and those at Sardis were all called upon to change from their indifference. Indifference will cause many to be lost.
You will die! Please do not be in any of these states. —Vance Hutton, Double Springs, Alabama
“It is appointed for men to die once.” Hebrews 9:27
