Austin Bible Church
To Glorify the Lord
In John 21:19, our Lord told Peter in what manner he would die as an apostle. In Luke 16:19-31, is the parable of the Rich Man (unbeliever) and Lazarus (a believer). The believer should be motivated to reach spiritual maturity to glorify Jesus Christ in their spiritual life.
“Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!”“ (John 21:19, NASB)
God’s Plan for You on Earth is Finished
Paul is an example of death after God's plan was completed for his life on earth in 2 Timothy 4:6-7. Also, the corn analogy of Job in Job 5:25-27. The most striking example is in Luke 23:46 where our Lord Jesus Christ was on the Cross following the completion of His substitutionary spiritual death for the sins of mankind when He voluntarily gave up His human spirit and died physically.
"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;" (2 Timothy 4:6-7, NASB)
""You will know also that your descendants will be many, And your offspring as the grass of the earth. "You will come to the grave in full vigor, Like the stacking of grain in its season. "Behold this; we have investigated it, and so it is. Hear it, and know for yourself."" (Job 5:25-27, NASB)
“And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last.” (Luke 23:46, NASB)
Maximum Divine Discipline
The ultimate in divine discipline is called the Sin Unto Death. Divine discipline can be stopped at any time with the use of confession of sins biblically. The sin unto death is God removing a believer prematurely for disciplinary reasons. The sin unto death can also be related to capital punishment. 1 John 5:16.
“If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.” (1 John 5:16, NASB)
David was under divine discipline when he committed adultery with Bathsheba. Psalms 38. In Corinth, many believers were partaking in the Lord’s Supper out of fellowship and died the sin unto death. 1 Cor. 3:17; 1 Cor. 11:27; 1 Cor. 11:30.
“If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.” (1 Corinthians 3:17, NASB)
“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:27, NASB)
“For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.” (1 Corinthians 11:30, NASB)
Suicide
Suicide is the superimposition of the believer’s will over God’s will. Remember, Christ died for the sin of suicide. A believer who commits suicide will be in heaven just as much as any other believer. Saul is an example of that. 1 Sam. 28:9; 1 Sam. 31:1-5.
"But the woman said to him, "Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who are mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you then laying a snare for my life to bring about my death?"" (1 Samuel 28:9, NASB)
"Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua the sons of Saul. The battle went heavily against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was badly wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor bearer, "Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised will come and pierce me through and make sport of me." But his armor bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died with him." (1 Samuel 31:1-5, NASB)
God will not take the believer until His appointed time. No matter your age, when God determines that your work is finished on earth, nothing can keep you here. You will be absent from the body and at home face-to-face with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:8.
“we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8, NASB)