YOU CANNOT DIE BEFORE YOUR TIME

When I was a child I always dreaded death to the extent that I never wanted to see an ambulance or hear its siren because it always reminded me of the end of man.

My fear was so bad that I never wanted to see the dead or visit a cemetery. Remember, the Lord has not given us the spirit of fear but of love, power and of a sound mind ( 2 Timothy 1:7). This means fear isn’t of the Lord at all.

As a child, I always heard, if you die, it’s your time and most of us still believe in it. But is this assertion always true? No, it is not because God’s plan for us is to live life to its fullest ( Psalm 139:16).

But you may ask can someone die before their time? Absolutely! Psalms 55:23 confirms it by saying “ but you, O God, will send the wicked down to the pit of destruction. Murderers and liars will die young, but I am trusting you to save me.”

But can God add to my age or subtract from it or not? Concerning Hezekiah, the Bible explicitly says God added fifteen more years to his age when he pleaded with Him ( 2 kings 20: 5-6). What a kind God we have!

What about some people that died young? Was it a premature death? In most cases, Jehovah has no hand in the premature death of His children. Yes, in few instances, God Himself can allow His child to exit the earth at an age we mortals may consider premature but before Him, it’s not for He sometimes does that in our favour.

Perhaps, living here for more than it is expected may make us backslide so He always has a way of taking us home before the age we consider to be the ripe age.

Sometimes too once we fulfill our mandate, He allows us to join Him in heaven. Jesus Himself left this world after fulfilling his mandate at the age of 33 and half. Archbishop Benson Idahosa died young we say. But was it a premature death?

Let’s see! At 59, the man of God passed away after praying with others on the table and continuously saying ‘thank you Jesus.” I’m convinced per the circumstances under which he died that he was actually called by His Father. He had obviously finished his mission on earth.

When some people are dying they don’t thank Jesus because they know they haven’t fulfilled their destiny. Some struggle, cry and even frown. These factors are indicative of the fact that something is wrong. I declare you shall die peacefully and after fulfilling your mandate on earth in the name of Jesus.

What then are the factors that guarantee longevity? Is it mere confession “ I shall not die”? Is it being a church person or living a holy life? Let’s delve into the Holy book and learn what can make us live long here on earth.

If you don’t want to die before your time, the first thing you have to do is that you simply have to be born again. Being born again is different from you being holy, generous, confirmed in a church or being a church leader. Without giving your heart to Jesus, being righteous or having a pure heart is synonymous with you not being saved.

Why? Romans 10:9 -10 tells us how to be saved “ If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and by confessing with your mouth that you are saved”. That’s the Bible and not any man made principles. Don’t get angry with me because you may have been told that if you say some prayers without “ accepting Christ” like the above scripture said you are saved. Sorry, if you are not born again, it’s not too late, you can be helped. No one is telling you to leave your church. Just do the right thing to have life eternal. Salvation is not premised on Buddha, Mary or Mohammed or any other person. Salvation is Jesus Himself. When you are really born again, you will submit your tripartite being to Jesus and he in return will give you life and resurrect you even if you die.

In John 11: 25- 26 Jesus speaks: “ Jesus told her, I’m the resurrection and the life. Anyone that believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die….” Do you understand? If you belong to the owner of life, you don’t have to worry. He Himself will help you live life to the fullest. It’s as simple as that.

On the other hand if you refuse to submit to Him, you open up yourself to the devil because you have no covering. Besides, you don’t believe in Jesus! Any evil wind or whatsoever kills an unbeliever can easily affect you because you are on your own. But that cannot be your portion in the name of Jesus!

I know I will live life to its fullness because I belong to Him and you too must belong to Him by choice. Remember, salvation must be genuine and you yourself must be convinced by the Spirit to answer His call. When you are saved, you will know that you are indeed saved and you can be rest assured you would not die before your time.

If you backslid after giving your life to God or you are not saved, you can still make amends. Remember you do that for your own good.

Kindly, say the following prayer after me:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.

I declare and decree “Jesus, You are life and resurrection. Thank you for writing my name in the book of life. I’m saved. I cannot die before my time! Thank you Jesus!”

You are blessed!

Dr. David Tobi Ogoudou