In "Deliverance From the Fear of Death," Don Fortner examines the theological implications of Christ's death and resurrection concerning believers' fear of death. The key arguments presented are that Christ's substitutionary death has destroyed the power of death, removed sin from believers, and redeemed them from the law's condemnation. Scripture references such as Hebrews 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:1-5 are pivotal, illustrating that through Christ, death is transformed from a source of fear into a gateway to eternal life. This understanding is significant for Reformed theology, emphasizing grace and the victorious aspect of Christ’s work, which reassures believers that in death they experience a transition to glory rather than punishment.
Key Quotes
“There is no deliverance from the fear of death except by looking to Him whose death is the death of death.”
“To die forgiven, accepted in the Beloved, is not really to die at all; it is simply the departure out of this world into the Father's house.”
“To the believer, death is but the day-break of eternal brightness, not the punishment of sin but the period of sin.”
“If I am in Christ, I am dead to the law.”
What does the Bible say about deliverance from the fear of death?
The Bible teaches that believers are delivered from the fear of death through Christ's victory over sin and death.
Hebrews 2:14-15, 1 John 3:1-5, Galatians 3:13, Romans 10:4, Romans 7:4, Romans 8:1-4
How do we know the power of death is destroyed?
We know the power of death is destroyed through Christ's substitutionary death and triumphant resurrection.
Hebrews 2:14-15, Romans 6:9
Why is forgiveness of sin important for Christians?
Forgiveness of sin is crucial for Christians as it removes the fear and sting of death.
1 John 3:1-5
Why is understanding death important for believers?
Understanding death enables believers to see it as a transition to eternal life and not a punishment.
John 11:25-26, 2 Corinthians 5:8
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. - Hebrews 2:14-15Deliverance From The Fear Of Death
There is no deliverance from the fear of death except by looking to Him whose death is the death of death. Our Lord has done many things to deliver us from this fear of death and its bondage.
1. Christ has destroyed the power of death by dying in our place and rising again. Since all of God's elect were partakers of flesh and blood, under the dominion of death, Christ became a man to suffer and die for us. It was not possible for our Representative to satisfy the claims of Divine justice against us unless He lived and died in our nature. By His substitutionary death on the cursed tree and His triumphant resurrection, the Son of God destroyed the power of Satan and the power of the grave over us. We are now more than conquerors in him. Why then should we fear death?
2. The Lord Jesus delivers us from the fear of death by removing our sin. "The sting of death is sin.” It is sin which causes men torment in death. But in Christ we have no sin. In Him we are fully forgiven. By His blood our sins are washed away. If we are born of God, we are in Christ; “and in him is no sin” (1 John 3:1-5). Be sure you have the forgiveness of sin by faith in Christ, and fear death no more. To die forgiven, "accepted in the Beloved,” is not really to die at all. It is simply the departure out of this world into the Father's house.
3. The law of God held us in bondage to the sentence of death and condemnation; but “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law” (Gal. 3:13). "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth” (Rom. 10:4). He is the end of the law's power to condemn. In the book of God's holy law there is no legal claim of condemnation upon any believer. Christ satisfied that claim for us. Why then should we fear? If I am in Christ, I am dead to the law (Rom. 7:4; 8:1-4).
4. The Lord Jesus Christ delivers us from the fear of death by changing the character of death. For the unbeliever death is a horrible thing. For the unbeliever, anything short of death is mercy. But, for the believer death is a great blessing.
“To those that are in Christ death is but the day-break of eternal brightness; not the punishment of sin, but the period of sin. It is but a sturdy porter opening the door of eternity, a rough passage to eternal pleasure.” – John Trapp
Why should Israel be afraid to cross the swelling Jordan into the land of promise, with the ark of God before them? The fact is, believers do not die in the sense that others do. Our Lord said, “Whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die.” To the ungodly, death is the penalty of sin; but to the believer it is just a change of location. Death to the wicked is the execution of justice, but to the believer it is a deliverance from sin. To the worldling death is the beginning of sorrows, but to the believer it is admission into glory. To the rebel death is imprisonment, but to the believer it is freedom
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