Should a Christian Fear Death?

Should a Christian Fear Death?

The word “fear” — f-e-a-r — is sometimes described as “false evidence appearing real.” That’s because many fears are based on illusions, misunderstandings, or lies that have been believed. However, fear isn’t always false evidence appearing real. Sometimes fear is justified—for instance, when someone poses a real threat of harm.

But the Bible reminds us that even when fear is real, God is greater: 

“Yahweh is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strong defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?” (Psalm 27:1, LSB).

The Appointment That Cannot Be Cancelled

Death is a subject most people avoid. It’s rarely talked about at dinner tables, and most resist bringing it up in conversation. Yet, no matter who we are, where we live, or what we’ve accomplished, death is one appointment we cannot cancel. The writer of Hebrews reminds us, 

“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him” (Hebrews 9:27, LSB).

The fear of death is natural. It’s often called the “last enemy.” 

“The last enemy to be abolished is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26, LSB).

Death is frightening. Even believers sometimes wrestle with fear. Why? Because death is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. People fear death because it feels like the end, the unknown, and the final separation. Death appears to be an enemy, not a friend. It intrudes, it steals, it separates families, and it interrupts dreams. From a human perspective, it can feel final.

Death Is The Doorway to Eternal Life

The Bible tells us that for the Christian, however, death is not an enemy and is not final. It’s a doorway. It is not something to dread but something to anticipate with hope.

1 Corinthians 15:55 (LSB) reminds all believers,

“O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?”

Note: Whenever you see Scripture written in all capital letters in the New Testament as above, it indicates that the passage is being quoted from the Old Testament, not to be interpreted as showing special emphasis through capitalization.

Solomon, the third king of Israel after Saul and David, and the son of Bathsheba, reigned around 960 BC for about 40 years. He put it this way about eternal life:

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NASB). 

Deep down, people know they were not made merely for 70 or 80 years on earth. They were made for eternity. The question everyone must answer is: Will your eternity be in Heaven or in Hell?

Christ’s Victory Over Death

Jesus Christ has already conquered death. Because He died and rose again, death no longer has dominion over Him or over those who belong to Him.

For this reason, a Christian should not fear death. the resurrection of Jesus Christ is proof that there is an afterlife for believers in Heaven. Had Jesus not been resurrected from the dead, then Christianity would be worthless, and we would all rightfully fear dying. But because He rose from the dead, that means all those who are in Christ will rise, too.

After Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, had been dead in the tomb for four days, Jesus said to Martha before raising him back to life:

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25b–26, LSB).

And in Revelation 1:17b-18 (LSB), the risen Christ declares: 

“Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.”

Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, death has been declawed and swallowed up. Death may look fierce, but for the believer, death has lost its sting. 

Guarantee

Christ’s resurrection guarantees believers their resurrection. And no one can lose their salvation. Jesus said, as recorded in John 10:28-29 (LSB):

“and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

The writer of Hebrews said this about Jesus in chapter 7, verse 25 (LSB):

“Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

Is Death Ever a Legitimate Fear? 

Yes, if you are not a believer. The only reason to fear death is being afraid of what will happen to you. Some of the reasons why a nonbeliever fears death:

1. Fear of judgment. The Bible is clear: apart from Christ, judgment awaits. Hebrews 10:26-27 (NASB) says,

“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.”

The expectation of judgment and a “fury of fire that will consume the adversaries” is a sobering thought.

2. Fear of the unknown and separation from loved ones. What happens after the last breath? For those who don’t know Christ, the afterlife is a terrifying mystery; however the Bible is very clear what happens to those who do not believe. Upon death, unbelievers are sent to Hades, a temporary place of suffering, as described in the story of the rich man and Lazarus. This is not their final destination; they await resurrection and judgment at the great white throne, leading to their ultimate fate in the lake of fire if not found in the book of life.
3. Fear of suffering in dying. The process of dying, not just death itself, can produce anxiety. No one knows how it will come—suddenly or slowly, painfully or peacefully, but believers know they immediately go to Heaven to be with God in heaven and as Revelation 21:4 (LSB) says:

“and He will WIPE AWAY EVERY TEAR FROM THEIR EYES; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain. The first things passed away.”

What Happens After Death for a Christian

This is where the hope of the gospel shines brightest. For the believer in Jesus:

Eternal Life Is Certain. John 3:16 (LSB) says it plainly: 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Eternal life begins NOW but is fully realized AFTER death.

Presence With the Lord Is Immediate. 

Paul writes, 

“we are of good courage and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8, LSB). 

He also says, 

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). 

• Death ushers us straight into the presence of Christ.

No Condemnation Awaits. 

Romans 8:1 (LSB) declares: 

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..” 

For the Christian, the judgment seat of Christ is not about punishment but about rewards:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10, LSB).

Heaven Is Our Home. 

Jesus comforted His disciples with these words: 

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going” (John 14:2–3, LSB). 

Death is not exile; it is going home.

How Does Scripture Describe the Death of a Believer?

A Departure.

The Apostle Paul said, 

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come” (2 Timothy 4:6, LSB). 

Departure implies going somewhere else—not ceasing to exist.

Falling Asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 (LSB) says that those who have “fallen asleep in Christ” will be raised. Sleep is temporary, peaceful, and followed by awakening:

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.”

A Reunion.

For believers, death means we will be reunited with those who died in Christ: 

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, LSB).

A Peaceful Passage.

Psalm 23:4 (LSB) assures us: 

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

How to Live Without Fear of Death

• Trust in Christ’s Finished Work. Our assurance is not in good works, religious rituals, or human effort. It is in the death and resurrection of Jesus. “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).
• Live with Eternal Perspective. Jesus told us not to store treasures on earth but in heaven:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19–21). 

When eternity shapes our priorities, death loses its grip.

• Walk in Faith Daily. The Christian life is one of daily surrender, trusting that God’s promises hold both now and forever.
• Share the Hope. 1 Peter 3:15 (LSB) says, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and fear…” If you live unafraid of death, the world will want to know why.

Encouragement for the Dying and the Grieving

For those facing death or grieving a loved one in Christ, God gives comfort:

“Precious in the sight of Yahweh Is the death of His holy ones” (Psalm 116:15. LSB). To God, the death of His saints is not tragedy—it is homecoming.

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39, LSB).

For those grieving, remember: the separation is temporary. The resurrection promises reunion.

Final Words of Encouragement and Warning

• Should a Christian fear death? Absolutely not. Death is an enemy, yes—but a defeated one. It has no claim, no sting, no power over the one who belongs to Christ. For the believer, death is not the end, but the doorway to eternal life in the presence of God.
• But here’s the crucial question: Are you in Christ? The promises we’ve read are for those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Romans 10:9 (LSB) says, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;”
• If you know Christ, you can face death with confidence, knowing that the grave is not your destination. It is only the passage into the arms of your Savior. And if you don’t yet know Him, today is the day to receive His gift of eternal life. To learn more, click here.
• For those who don’t know Jesus Christ and have not accepted Him as their Lord and Savior, and by faith don’t know God, death better be feared. For death is indeed the grim reaper that shall separate the nonbeliever forever from good and God and life.
• To learn if your salvation can be lost, click here.
• The most important question to ask yourself: Are you ready to die?

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