Natural death, as understood within the biblical context, refers to the end of physical life as a result of the natural aging process or illness, distinct from death caused by violence or accident. The inevitability of natural death serves as a profound reminder of human mortality and the transient nature of earthly life. This awareness is intended to motivate believers towards a life of diligence, faithfulness, and purpose in accordance with God's will.

The Bible frequently addresses the brevity of life and the certainty of death, urging believers to live wisely and purposefully. In Psalm 90:12, Moses prays, "So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom." This verse underscores the importance of recognizing the limited time available to each person, prompting a life characterized by wisdom and intentionality.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 further emphasizes the need for diligence: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom." The acknowledgment of death as an inevitable destination encourages believers to engage wholeheartedly in their earthly tasks, knowing that opportunities for work and service are confined to this life.

The New Testament also reflects on the theme of mortality as a catalyst for diligence. In Ephesians 5:15-16, Paul exhorts, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Here, the apostle highlights the urgency of living wisely and seizing every opportunity for good, given the fleeting nature of life.

James 4:14 offers a poignant reminder of life's uncertainty: "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." This imagery of life as a vapor serves to prompt believers to focus on what truly matters, aligning their actions with eternal values rather than temporary pursuits.

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 illustrates the expectation of diligence in the face of life's brevity. The servants are entrusted with resources and are expected to use them productively. The commendation of the faithful servants—"Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21)—serves as an encouragement for believers to diligently steward their time, talents, and resources in anticipation of their eventual accountability before God.

In light of natural death, the Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:58 resonate with a call to steadfastness and diligence: "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." The assurance of resurrection and eternal life provides a powerful incentive for believers to remain diligent in their service to God, despite the temporal nature of earthly existence.

The consideration of natural death, therefore, serves as a sobering yet motivating factor for believers to live with diligence, purpose, and a focus on eternal significance. By recognizing the certainty of death, Christians are encouraged to prioritize their spiritual growth, service, and witness, making the most of the time allotted to them in this life.Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, where you go.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 9:4
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

One Metaphor and Two Meanings
... brief; and it would have been as natural for Jesus ... thy might,' is a conclusion from
the consideration that 'there ... of Life and Death and the state beyond death. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/one metaphor and two meanings.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... the parson could comprehend; they were natural men, and ... Was money, was labor made
a consideration with these ... from the published notice of his death, that he ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

Though in Order to Establish this Suitable Difference Between the ...
... free and without any compulsion or natural necessity, proceeds ... gods, either before
or after death: An expression ... drawn as above, from the consideration of the ...
/.../iv proposition iv though in.htm

A Strong Resolution Necessary in the Beginning. ...
... Now, as from the consideration of the tediousness of a ... age; by reason that though
her natural ill inclinations ... course, the case where God upon the death of well ...
/.../chapter iv a strong resolution.htm

Introduction
... The tendencies of the natural man, however beautiful his ... and even after the hand
of death had touched ... of his sickness, his wonted tender consideration for his ...
/.../the epistle of paul to the philippians practically explained/introduction.htm

Doing Glory to God in Pursuits of the World.
... came, first one and then the other, without much consideration. ... and such, I say,
will be the natural wish of ... and suitable to meet the stroke of death (if it be ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xi doing glory to.htm

On Working Out Our Own Salvation
... with him, "even unto death; yea, the death of the ... But this is not natural: It is
more properly termed ... worketh hitherto, and I work." In consideration that he ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 85 on working out.htm

A Cleansed Way
... questions about the future with which it is natural for you ... only too apt to put aside
the consideration of this ... make you 'free from the law of sin and death.'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/a cleansed way.htm

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, in Reference to Growing in Grace.
... The consideration of these and other motives unto this study ... he, "with him by baptism
unto death; that like ... As in the natural body the diversity of functions ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter vii how christ is.htm

Herod and Peter.
... dictated for his safety, is perfectly natural, and would ... is willing to sacrifice
every personal consideration for his ... follow his Lord to prison and to death. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiv herod and peter.htm

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