Question. Why do we still experience physical death, which is part of the punishment for sin.
Answer. Physical death—once, without Christ, the doorway to hell—has now been turned by Christ into a doorway to heaven for everyone who believes in him. Just as he himself entered his kingdom through death, death, which used to be a punishment, has now become a benefit because of Christ.
Scripture Reference: Luke 23:42; John 5:25-26; 1 Cor. 15:18, 21:54-55; 1 Thess. 4:13-14; Phil. 1:21-22; Rev. 14:13
Question. Is there any other benefit to us from Christ’s death?
Answer. Christ’s suffering and death are not only a medicine for our miseries, as I said before, but also an example for us to follow.
Scripture Reference: Eph. 5:2; 1 Pet. 2:21, and 4:1-2
Question. Can you explain that more clearly?
Answer. We should follow Christ’s example by obeying the will of God our heavenly Father, patiently enduring wrongs from others, putting to death our sinful desires, and becoming as if dead and buried to sin—so that we no longer continue in it. We are to live this way after the example of Christ our Savior, who was crucified, died, and was buried because of sin. In those who truly trust in Christ, sinful desires—which would otherwise run wild—are, in a sense, crucified through the power of his death. Their intensity is cooled and restrained by his sacrifice, so that they can be brought under the control of the Spirit. In this way, the power of Christ’s death helps us carry out what his life and death call us to do.
Scripture Reference: John 13:15; Eph. 5:2; 1 Pet. 3:21 and 4:12; 1 John 2:6; Rom. 6:1,4,7,11; Gal. 2:20,5:24; Col. 2:13,2:20