Death as Solution – Part 1
A married couple had a huge fight, serious enough for the wife to storm out of the house, vowing never to return. On the back steps, she nearly trips over something she had never seen before — an Aladdin’s lamp. She picks it up, rubs it gently, and sure enough, a Genie pops out! He tells her that he will grant her three wishes, whatever her desire! Naturally, she is overjoyed. But the Genie cautions her: “I must tell you that whatever you get, your husband will get twice as much.” She is not thrilled about that, but agrees to the rules. The first thing she asked for is a million dollars and “Poof,” it lay at her feet. She leaps for joy, but the Genie reminds her that her husband just received 2 million in the house. “Are you sure you want to go on?” the Genie asks. Although a little less enthusiastic, she says, “I’d like a pile of diamonds three feet high!” Poof, again. Right next to the money was a pile of diamonds. “I don’t mean to dampen your fun, but your husband is sitting in his Lazy Boy recliner with two piles of diamonds. Maybe you’d like to forgo your third and final wish?” She thinks for a minute, and then she says, “No, I’ll take that last wish. What I want you to do … is scare me half to death!”
I think that story illustrates the state of our world. Many people look at death as a solution to problems. They think killing someone will make our world a better place. Does that sound right to you?
Most of us have gone through the agonizing experience of seeing loved ones die. Senator Hillary Clinton gave a speech at the University of Texas a number of years ago, while she was still the First Lady. It was the day before her own father died. In that speech, she said, “When does life start? When does life end? Who makes those decisions? How do we dare infringe upon these areas of such delicate, difficult questions? … These are not issues that we have guidebooks about.”
I find it ironic that the person who made that statement is a staunch supporter of abortion. Those who identify themselves as “Pro-Choice” maintain that if the child is not wanted by the mother, death is the solution. They have no problem infringing on that delicate question and making a decision.
The most troubling thing about that quote from Mrs. Clinton for me is the last part: “These are not issues that we have guidebooks about.” Oh, Really? Her husband once popularized the phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Maybe it would be best to answer her the same way: “No guidebook? IT’S THE BIBLE, STUPID!” This is where God tells us that He has given life for death, that Christ has been raised from the dead, that those who put their confidence in Him will live, that Jesus has destroyed death, that death is not the solution! The Bible is where God tells us that life is the solution He has given. Consider these passages.
John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
2 Timothy 1:10 but it [the grace of God] has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
I will continue my thoughts on this tomorrow.
