Death is not the Victor

Once more we are reminded of the frailty of life. Yesterday as one of the more notable and loved preachers of our area was about to be laid to rest, another beloved Fannin County resident went on to meet the Lord. On this the day of Reverend Bill Johnson’s funeral, Ron Newton, Fannin County Chief Magistrate was killed in a fatal motorcycle accident. Ron’s wife Rita was hospitalized with critical injuries. Along with these two deaths, Fannin County lost another local minister, Reverend Ronnie White a few weeks ago who died unexpectedly, Ronnie was in his early fifties. Why did these men die? We do not know the whys of the times God has set for people to leave this world but we know that we all have an appointed time unless we live to the day of Jesus’ return. May we pray for the ones left behind and may we honor their passing and memorialize these individuals by living lives worthy of the giver of life. I honestly believe if they could speak to us now they would say, “Live for Jesus, make God your first priority.”

As we once more are brought face to face with death, let us go ahead and mourn the loss, but realize that death is not the victor, but Jesus Christ defeated death and tasted death for us all 2000 years ago. Yes, Jesus did die on a cross, for the sins of the world, but that was not the end. Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and now makes intercession for His children. If you a born again believer in Christ I believe He is up in heaven making intercession for you to God the Father. Because He lives, we shall live also. No, death is not the end, just another part of the story. These men who have passed on have reached that page in their story and us who are left behind have reached that sad part of our story where we bid them farewell. Through the sadness, may we realize that farther on in our story is a day when God Himself will wipe all the tears from our eyes and all that breaks our hearts down here will be gone forever.