The Sting Of Death Is Sin

54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 

55 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" 

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.  - Hosea 13:14

8 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. 

9 It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation."  - Isaiah 25:8-9

It's as if part of you has been ripped away!!! For indeed it has been!!! That constant sweet presence of that person you hold most dear to your heart has gone into eternity. This can be a comfort or it can bring shear terror! Why? The soul that dies in Christ goes to Him but the rebellious wicked unbelieving soul goes to Satan. There is no other place to which the soul can go, no holding place to see what your life merits. Why? Because our eternal destination is dependent on the power of the cross. Christ alone brings salvation! Not any merit of your life only your faith in Christ!!! The blood of Christ is the only ransom!!! 

For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."  - Revelation 7:17

13 Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,

14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." - John 4:13-14

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45

And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,  - Revelation 5:9

Recently an old friend died, he was in his 90's. He was a dear sweet man who loved his Lord, his friends and his family. We grieve but our grief is momentary because then comes the joy in the knowledge that through his faith "he is with Jesus"!!!