“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (ESV)

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (NIV)

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? ” (NLT)

Dive Deeper:

The death rate of sin is an astounding 100%, and the percent of people with sin is 100%... This means you have the disease of sin, and your death is certain.

Some of us think about that more than others. Some come to terms with it sooner than the rest. But no matter what, death is coming. You can ignore it, try to outrun it, or do everything in your power to prolong your life — but you can’t escape it. 

It appears to have the final say. It sneaks in unexpectedly. Sometimes, it drags its feet, preceded by suffering. Other times, it comes way earlier than anyone could’ve imagined. It steals the people we love, breaks hearts, tears apart families, robs joy, and even destroys the lives of the living. 

So, how in the world can we quote a verse like this? “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” Because death does sting...deeply. And for now, it sure looks like it’s winning, but like a serpent with its head cut off, it’s only thrashing around. Poisonous, yes…but defeated. Jesus crushed the serpent. He conquered death once and for all. For those who know Christ, death does not have the final word, but it becomes a doorway to life. 

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 ESV

Jesus has broken the power of sin and has won the victory over death. His death on the cross rendered death powerless over those who believe. His resurrection marked the beginning of the end to death’s story. Although it still appears to have control, we are promised that it does not.  Jesus is coming back soon, and when He does, death will be done for good, swallowed up forever, and only a faint memory. Its sting will be lost, and it will lose. We will rise.

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

So, the true death rate for all who believe in Christ and turn from their sin is 0%. Even those with the disease of sin. 

Written by Blake Stanley