Scriptures teach that death is essential to happiness: "Now
behold, it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed
from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great
plan of happiness."
Our limited perspective would be enlarged if we could
witness the reunion on the other side of the veil, when
doors of death open to those returning home.
Such was the vision the psalmist who wrote, "Precious
in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
But there is another type of separation known in scripture
as spiritual depth.
It "is defined as a state of spiritual alienation from
God." Thus, one can be very much alive physically but dead
spiritually.
Spiritual death is more likely when goals are unbalanced
toward things physical.
Paul explained this concept to the Romans: "If ye live after
the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do
mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
If physical death should strike before moral wrongs
have been made right, opportunity for repentance
will have been forfeited.
Thus, "the [real]
sting of death is sin."
Even the Savior cannot save us in our sins.
He will redeem us from our sins, but only upon condition
of our repentance.
We are responsible for our own spiritual survival or death.