Real Death Panels?

Some called it a political ‘scare tactic’ while others claim it as inevitable if the new health reform bill goes through as proposed.

The term is known as a ‘Death Panel'. It is a concept that refers to the horrific decisions that some claim would be made at some point, by someone, on life-sustaining care if health care were to ever be rationed. It also is tied to the so-called ‘end-of-life’ provision in the President’s package unless that aspect is dropped due to mounting pressure from those who oppose the plan. Human services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said of the concept that it’s a “horrific” twisting of facts to say that “Death Panels” would be part of Obama’s proposed health care overhaul. She called the whole idea a simple ‘scare tactic’ by the political opposition.

Any fear of some outsider controlling matters of life and death is understandable. Few would be comfortable with an impersonal entity making crucial judgements on life’s most serious issue. And while most all are quite concerned with this staggering physical decision, only a select few ever seriously consider that there are ‘scare tactics’ in the Bible pertaining to spiritual and physical death. And yet the vast majority seem unwilling to respond to God’s loving ‘end of life’ provision given along side of the clear and intentional ‘scare tactics’ found throughout His word.

In his great doctrinal thesis to the church at Rome, the Apostle Paul presents God’s intentional words to instill fear and awaken those who have not yet been redeemed and who remain outside of His faith family. Romans 1:18 warns, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” Then in chapter 2 the warning is repeated. “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who 'will render to each one according to his deeds." (Romans 2:5-6)

Then Jesus Himself added in Matthew 10:28-29. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” His descriptive words in Mark 9:45-46 should likewise intimidate any lost sinner - at least those who really care about the results of sin and where they may reside in eternity. “And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched.” If these are not words meant to educate and even cause the ultimate fear, then what are they for?

The Bible gives more than adequate warning of terrible judgement and great reason to be scared. But it also provides the ultimate solution in Jesus Christ. The same Paul who penned the scary scenarios in the early chapters of Romans, then shares the pathway to peace later in chapter 5. He writes in verses 9-10, “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

In the spiritual realm there is a literal “Death Panel” comprised of one. Jesus Christ is referred to in Acts 10:42 as, “Judge of the living and the dead.” He will someday deal justly with those who have rejected His free offer of salvation. But this same judge of all is the author of life. His priority is to have all embrace His miraculous ‘end-of-life’ provision of faith, forgiveness and fellowship with Him forever.

Bill Breckenridge