Death cannot be defeated by life. Human beings will surely die. Yet many people try to “defeat” death by making their lives bloom with pleasures in this world, as if life’s opportunity exists only once on earth. They pursue as much enjoyment as possible before they die. But in the end, they still die. Death can only be defeated with death. That is, before we die physically, we must first put to death our flesh: our desires, ambitions, and wrong ways of thinking.
We cannot overcome death with earthly life; instead, death must be overcome by death on earth. That means putting to death the old self, and only then can we truly live. The Bible says: “Put to death therefore whatever is earthly in you… For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” But why is this rarely taught? Because many people avoid suffering, they avoid death. Yet God wants us to enter into the process of death, just as Paul said: “becoming like Him in His death.”
We ought to give thanks because God has placed us in the right place to discover this truth and to receive eternal life. Therefore, in church, we must not be preoccupied with material blessings. There is an order: if we work hard, are honest, and responsible, our needs will surely be met. Does not God give sunlight to both the good and the evil, and send rain to both the righteous and the unrighteous? How much we gather depends on our diligence. Proof of this is that even those who do not know God can “make it” in this world. Thus, the task of the church and God’s servants is to teach pure truth, so that the congregation will not keep the old self alive, but put it to death.
Do not be consumed with worldly matters. The world has its own laws and systems. If we expect a pastor’s prayer to make us materially abundant, that is foolishness. Look at Abraham. Humanly speaking, he was like a “dead card.” But Hebrews 11:8 says: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” By faith, Abraham left Ur of the Chaldeans—a metropolitan center highly advanced in its time. Today, archaeology reveals that the Sumerian valley, where Ur was situated, was a fertile and flourishing region around 2000 BC. Abraham risked his entire life to follow God’s call, not knowing where he would go. Yet he fully trusted in Elohim Yahweh.
The next verse says: “By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” Abraham did not build a permanent house, but lived in tents. Not because he did not understand houses, but because he realized he was only a foreigner. He was waiting for the city designed by God Himself. This world is not a place worthy of being our ultimate goal. That is why Ecclesiastes 2 says: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” What can we hope for from this world?
Abraham set an example. As children of Abraham by faith, we must imitate Abraham’s faith and carry his spirit. Remember, we are justified not by works, but by faith—faith expressed in real action, in total obedience to God, and in focus on the world to come. With such faith, Abraham defeated death with death, and only then did he truly live.