Death Bed

“I preach as never sure to preach again, and as a dying man to dying men.”
-Richard Baxter

I was once asked by a friend, “If you were on your death bed, what advice would you give to people who asked?”

I never really knew how to answer that question until recently, because it was not until a few days ago that I realized I am already on my death bed.  We all are.  Every person who is still alive as I write this (and as you read it) are on their death bed...they just may not realize it.

I guess now I can finally answer the question my friend asked me...



1. Never take your eyes off of Jesus.  As crazy as life get – with doubt, trials, tribulations, and brokenness – Never take your eyes off of Jesus.

“Look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and is seated at the right hand of God.” -Hebrews 12:2

2. Love God with that you are and love people with all that you are.

“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” -Matthew 22:37-40

3. Be okay with the “meaningless” and lowly tasks – taking out the trash, vacuuming the house, washing the dishes, serving others – these build the heart of a servant.

“But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” -Mark 10:43-45

4. Never forget to marvel in the holiness of God; because when you realize the holiness of God, you will receive the mercy of God.

“I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.  Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” -Isaiah 6:1-7

5. Be humble. It is okay to be wrong. Especially if you're young. Face it, people who are older than you tend to know more about life than you do. Listen to them. Learn from their mistakes.

“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'” -1 Peter 5:5

6. Call your mom. Tell her that you love her.

7. Whether you realize it or not, you are on your death bed. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment...” -Hebrews 9:27

8. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is true. Deal with it. Live like it.

“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

'Death is swallowed up in victory.'
'O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?'

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” -1 Corinthians 15:54-58

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Thomas Montgomery
 
resides in Joplin, Missouri where he studies New Testament Theology at Ozark Christian College. His hobbies include hiking, cooking, reading, eating Chick-Fil-A, growing his beard, and talking to people about the person of Jesus Christ. He loves people, evidenced by his service to the church and those who do not yet know Christ.