Check out this short answer during an open Q&A with a group of junior high students.
Why do you think someone would fear death? Comment below!
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January 18, 2019 at 9:40 am
Great answer! I think also that God has ingrained in all of creation a strong self-preservation instinct. For humans, this is done for many of the reasons you cited (we have a purpose, our presence is a blessing/benefit to others around us, we will be missed, etc). But I think it’s even more fundamental. Life is a gift from God! He doesn’t want us to squander that gift. The purpose of human life is to know God and to make him known to others. We should do everything reasonable to live our lives to the fullest while living out that purpose. He doesn’t want us to fear death in the sense that we fear what will happen after we die (of course this is a different answer for unbelievers, who should fear the afterlife). He put within us a strong sense of self-preservation to ensure we won’t casually give up our lives when we have an opportunity to continue to live, and thus be more able to fulfill our purpose.
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January 18, 2019 at 10:35 am
Thanks, Stuart. That is a great point!
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