TOPIC:
DO PEOPLE DIE AT GOD'S OWN CHOICE AND TIMING?
BIBLE TEXTS:
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
KEY VERSE:
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
(1 Peter 3:10).
CONTROLLING THOUGHT:
Untimely or sudden death is not my portion!
DISCOURSE:
Most people have misinterpreted and misunderstood what the book of Hebrews 9:27 says. It does not state that each person's death has a specific time given by God. All that stated is that everyone will die and then face judgment.
Some people think that God has set a specific day for their death. They believe that their death is but a "destiny", and that they cannot do anything when it occurs.
However, the Bible shows a different picture on this issue.
The Bible contains many instructions and advice on how we can either shorten or lengthen our life.
For example, we can honor our parents.
In the book of Ephesians 6:2 it is clearly stated, "Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise." That promise is "that it shall be well with you, and you will live a long life".
The Bible tells that, what we say with our tongues also has an impact on how long we live.
In the book of Proverbs 18:21, it reads "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof".
According to the Bible, how long we live depends on what we use our tongues to speak.
Therefore, long life or sudden death is your own choice according to Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"
God tells us that we should choose "a life-or-death decision". That definitely does not mean that God has already chosen when you will die and you cannot do anything to change it.
Philippians 1:21 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Paul, the author of Philippians, evidently thought he had an option over whether to live or die. We all have such a choice.
It does not mean that God chooses or causes our deaths just because He may know when we will pass away.
No matter that God as the Omniscient, has knowledge of the future, yet He gives us permission to make choices. He knows more than us. God somehow knows what will happen in the future since He is not limited by time like we are. But He does not take away our right and freedom to make choice.
There is not any where in the Bible that God has appointed a specific day for each person to pass away. Therefore, if we claimed that, it would be an add-on to what the Bible has told.
PRAYER
Oh God! You have given me the freedom and right to make the correct choices. Please help me to make good use of the opportunity.
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