How do we know the doctrine of death before life is true?

Our confidence in the truth of the doctrine that death precedes life is firmly grounded in biblical revelation. In passages like 2 Corinthians 4:10-11, Paul articulates not only his personal experiences of suffering but also a theological truth: we must first experience the dying of Christ symbolically within our own lives to later reflect His resurrected life. This paradox is foundational to Reformed theology, emphasizing that through the conviction of sin and the recognition of our need for a Savior, God's merciful work is made manifest. Our understanding is further deepened by correlating verses such as Ephesians 2:1 where Paul states that we were dead in our trespasses and sins but made alive in Christ. Understanding and accepting this doctrine leads to a deeper dependence on God's work in us and affirms His plan of salvation.