Why Death?

by Doy Moyer

Why is death a consequence of sin? Because sin is a direct affront to the glory of the God of life. When we reject God, we reject life. Death is what’s left. We cannot turn our backs on life and expect to live.

Why did Christ come to die? He died for us to demonstrate power over death and provide life. This is why resurrection is so critical to the gospel message. Through death and resurrection, He proclaims victory over death, redeems us from the curse of sin (i.e., death), remakes us in His image as His new creation brought back to life, and reconciles us to God since death would no longer separate us from the One in whom is life. “In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4).

This empowers us to live for Him.

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (II Corinthians 5:14-15).

“I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again” (John 10:17-18).

“Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death — that is, the devil — and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15).

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (I Corinthians 15:57).