Response:

I guess the answer to your question is two-fold. First, and most important, is to be spiritually prepared. The main question, of course, is Am I Born Again? Are you 100% sure that you will be in Heaven when you pass away? Has there been a time in your life when you accepted what the Bible had to say about you, Jesus Christ, and salvation? If not, then this must be the first priority. If your salvation is secure, you next should be certain that you are in a right relationship with God. Ask Him to forgive you for the sins that you have not previously confessed. Be specific - He will be! Endeavor to live the remaining portion of your life in an intimate relationship with Him, and in dedication to Him. The Bible tells us that "we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ" (Rom 14:10). Are there things that should be taken care of with God NOW, rather than at that judgement? If so, take care of them.

I believe spiritual preparation also involves your relationship to others. Of course, how we relate to and treat our brothers in Christ is something that God will hold us accountable for. If your brother has something against you, go and be reconciled to him. If a brother has offended you, or trespassed against you, attempt to reconcile that relationship as well. Don't come to the end of your life with broken relationships that could have been mended without at least attempting to make things right. If the other party refuses, that is between him and God, and he will be held accountable for his decision. However, you will also be held accountable for your willingness to attempt to make things right.

Spiritual preparation also includes the spiritual legacy that we leave behind. Are there still some folks that you need to share the Gospel with at least one time? Is there someone with whom you should share Christ again? Are there some spiritual lessons that you wanted to teach to your saved friends and/or family members? Now is the time to do all those things, so that you can stand before God with cleans hands and a pure heart.

The second part to the answer deals with secular matters. There are some things that should be in place, such as a will, before death. Does someone know your wishes about your estate? Are your wishes known concerning your children? What about your wishes concerning "heroic measures" to prolong your life? All this should be discussed with someone, and put then put in writing and placed in a location known to your next of kin.

How does a Christian face death? The Bible tells us that death is an enemy (I Cor 15:26), but that "Blessed in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" (Psalm 116:15). We take comfort, and give others comfort, in the realization that, for the believer, to be "absent from the body" is to be "present with the Lord" (II Cor 5:8), and that "to depart, and to be with Christ", is "far better" (Phil 1:23). We also take comfort in the realization that the rapture is coming soon, and that we will not only be united with our glorified bodies (I Cor 15:52-53), but we will also be reunited with those believers that we have left behind here on earth (I Thes 4:15-17). God tells us to "Comfort one another with these words" (I Thes 4:18), and we should use them to comfort ourselves, as well as our loved ones.

By Dr Mark Montgomery Ambassador Baptist Church 1926 Babcock Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15209 (412)477-3210