The Sting of Death is Sin
So many people are under the impression that the sting of death is death itself. The Bible says otherwise (1 Corinthians 15:56). That is, it isn’t death that is the sting, but sin. Why is that? Because if one dies in one’s sins, then that sin stays with him after death and results in condemnation (John 5:29). However, if one is forgiven of sins, then there is no sting in death, instead, there is only blessing. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord” (Revelation 14:13).
However, a person must take advantage of the opportunity to be free from sin by becoming a child of God so that death will have no sting. God gives victory through Christ, not the sting that is sin (1 Corinthians 15:57). In Christ, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). How can I be forgiven of sin and be in Christ? We are forgiven of sin by the blood of Christ (Matthew 26:28) when we are baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16). When we are baptized, we put on Christ (Galatians 3:27) and belong to Christ. If we then belong to Christ, we are free from sin, and death has no more sting. Instead, “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).
Christians should not be afraid of death. Christ Jesus came into the world to take away our fear of death. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15). The devil wants us to be afraid of death so he can control us. Let’s not give him what he wants!