Recently, a well-known past AFL footballer had a heart attack and after two days without regaining consciousness passed away.   And then without any reference to the grief his family must have been experiencing, the comment was made, "What a nice way to go, but not if he wasn’t a Christian.” 

That comment started to make me think that perhaps dying by a quick heart attack is a nice way to go, both for a non-Christian and Christian alike.  I am not making a judgement call about anything that comes after death, for that is a whole different matter.  But to die with a heart attack and not have to suffer months or years of debilitating illness or pain is probably a reasonably pleasant way to die.

Of course, for the Christian there is a far greater dimension to having a painless death.   Generally, Christians are ‘fit’ to die.    In other words, because of the gift of faith alone in Christ’s accomplished work alone, they know that whatever may happen, both in life and death, body and soul, they belong and are forever safe in the loving arms of their Saviour Lord.   

But being ‘fit to die’ doesn’t necessarily mean that Christians are also ‘ready’ to die.  Normally, when life is ‘sweet’ and things are going well, no one, including Christians would be hoping for life to finish quickly.   To do so is contrary to what Scripture teaches about death, for it continues to be the great enemy of Christians and non-Christians alike.  

Yes, the thought of heavenly glory is comforting, especially when someone is suffering serious terminal illness.  But I would suggest it is an unbiblical concept to be looking forward to death. I, for one, am fit for glory because of my blessed Saviour.  But while life is sweet, even with its occasional sorrows, and I can still enjoy life, relationships, and be in service to my Lord, I am not ready to die (cf Phil 1:22ff).

I would further suggest that to wish life as we know it this side of the grave to quickly end because we will be with the Lord, is not being ‘real’ nor is it a winsome approach towards non-Christians.  The Apostle Paul wrote about this when his friend Epaphroditus was ill and near death, but the Lord showed mercy to him and to Paul lest he should have sorrow upon sorrow (Phil 2:27).   Paul understood that death was not the end, but he was acutely aware of the sorrow it brings.  

And if we wish to have a better example, our Saviour wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus.  Jesus, the Son of God, grieved with those who lost a loved one.  He totally identified with our humanity and shed tears at the loss of his beloved friend (Jn 11:35).

So as Christians, let us not treat death with some kind of glossy, heartless triumphalism.  Alec Motyer writes, “Tears are proper for believers, indeed they should be all the more copious, for Christians are more sensitively aware of every emotion, whether joy or sorrow, than those who have known nothing of the softening and enlivening grace of God”^[1]   Our Christian faith does not insulate us from grief and sorrow.  The fact that our loved ones are with the Lord, soothes our sorrow, but does not remove the grief, the heartache, the sense of loss and the loneliness that follows.   

So, to be sure, Christians are fit to die, but don’t make death out to be something magnificent for it isn’t, it is still enemy number one!   Thankfully, when the Lord calls me home, I will not be only fit to die, but He will make me ready too.  JZ.

^[1] Alec Motyer, The message of Philippians, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP Academic, 1984, p 90)