We want to believe death brings peace but what if that’s the biggest lie of all. The truth about what comes next is too important to ignore.
Actress Jennifer Aniston recently made this statement to Vanity Fair magazine concerning her highly popular “Friends” classic sitcom television co-star and friend, actor Matthew Perry, who struggled with drug addiction and sadly passed away from a drug overdose.
“We did everything we could when we could,” Aniston told Vanity Fair about trying to help Perry during his long struggle with addiction both during “Friends'” run and after. “But it almost felt like we’d been mourning Matthew for a long time because his battle with that disease was a really hard one for him to fight. As hard as it was for all of us and for the fans, there’s a part of me that thinks this is better. I’m glad he’s out of that pain.”
As far as we know, Perry was not a believer in Jesus Christ, but there is always the hope that before he left this world, he would have received Him as his Savior.
Sadly, like many, Aniston is mistaken in believing that death itself sets people free from pain. Only those who know Christ are promised freedom from pain after death, but for those who don’t know Jesus, it’s just the beginning of pain at a level never experienced here on earth.
Tragically, this untrue misconception is widespread, with many people unaware of how, on the other side of death, for those without Christ, is more death, with intensified pain of unbearable proportions, propelling people into eternal, unending, and unbearable pain, the consequences of and punishment for their sins.
Why Even Discuss This Topic?
So why even discuss her statement? Because there are likely millions in our world who believe the same thing as Aniston believes, that death is the answer and relief from pain on earth. But it isn’t for those who haven’t received Christ as their Savior. For them, it’s entering a level of pain and suffering beyond earthly comprehension.
Sadly, now, even some who call themselves Christians no longer believe in the existence of hell, or that anyone is on their way there. But if there is no punishment for sin, then what did Jesus come to save us from?
Unbelief in hell is a tactic implemented by the devil, one leading many unsuspecting souls to end up there. Disbelief in hell is a clever, disguised road to destruction being embraced by many who have fashioned God into their own, comfortable image, rejecting the crucified Christ, and why He came to earth.
Jesus says in Matthew 25:46, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
As Aniston seems to mistakenly believe, death does not take away pain for the unbeliever, but rather leads those who have rejected Christ on an irreversible pathway to eternal suffering.
Why Christ Is the Answer to Pain
As Christians, we have received the ultimate gift. Nothing can ever top it. For believers, Jesus has freed us from the fear of death. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:55, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
As believers in Jesus Christ, of His life, death, and resurrection, we know He conquered death and has taken its fear and sting away, defeating it forever, for those who receive His gift of Salvation.
Jesus tasted death on our behalf, and now we have nothing to fear because we will pass from life to life. As proclaimed in John 11:25, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die.’”
We are also spared from punishment for our sins, because Jesus took that upon Himself in our place. As He says in John 5:24, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
Knowing Christ means death cannot keep us from life. If we lose life here, it just means we’ve gained eternal life which is everlasting and never ends.
As 1 Peter 3:18 explains, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”
Why Death Leads to Life for Christians
As Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Either way, as believers in Jesus Christ, whether we live or die, we as Christians have life. When physical death overtakes us, it’s just ushering us into our new life in Christ.
In 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Paul shares his joyous anticipation of his life to come after earthly death. “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
Death for us on earth is finding complete freedom from pain and suffering. The Apostle John wrote in Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Why Share the Truth about Death?
Why share? Because there is an urgency to sharing the Gospel with those who don’t believe that Jesus came to save them. No one knows the length of others’ lives and to wait to tell them, is gambling with the eternal destination of those we know and love.
For everyone who doesn’t believe that Christ came to save them, they are under the curse of death. None of us can escape it on our own. We need Jesus, as 1 Peter 2:24 explains, “’He Himself bore our sins’ in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by His wounds you have been healed.’”
Jesus is the only way to freedom from pain, not death. As Paul wrote in Colossians 1:22, “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”
As proclaimed in John 14:6, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
Why the Time to Tell Is Now
In thinking of life after death, we think of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus in the Bible, how Jesus told of the rich man seeing Lazarus being comforted and called out to Abraham to send the beggar to give him water.
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And beside all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us’” (Luke 16:25,26).
Their story explains how there is no road between heaven and hell, and no way for those in torment to reach out to their loved ones with the truth of God’s word. “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment’” (Luke 16:27, 28).
Yet, the rich man waited too long and Abraham couldn’t save his family. As Jesus said in Luke 13:28, “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.”
Why Today Is the Day
Today is not too late to tell others about Christ, but tomorrow may be. So as Hebrews 3:15 warns, “As has just been said: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.’”
We can ask God to help us to yield to the Holy Spirit’s leading when He is nudging us to tell others the truth about death, and how it, in itself, doesn’t bring freedom from pain. How only through Jesus, is pain obliterated for eternity.
It’s far more important for us to tell our family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and even strangers the truth about death, to be willing to risk possible rejection, whether they receive Jesus or not, than to never tell them.
The only way to be freed from the curse and punishment of sin and leave pain behind in this life is to follow Jesus and receive His gift of Salvation. John clarifies in Revelation 22:3 “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him.”
Related Resource: James Dobson's Candid Interview with Pastor Greg Laurie: His Childhood, Marriage, and How to Build Strong Families
In this episode from the archives, Pastor Greg Laurie sits down with renowned psychologist, author, and speaker, the late Dr. James Dobson. As the founder of Focus on the Family and Family Talk, Dr. Dobson has shaped generations through his nationally syndicated radio programs and bestselling books like Bringing Up Boys, The Strong-Willed Child, and Dare to Discipline. Their conversation spans Dr. Dobson’s formative years, his marriage, and his enduring commitment to building strong, faith-centered families.
Listeners will also hear reflections on Dr. Dobson’s historic interview with serial killer Ted Bundy, conducted on the eve of Bundy’s execution—a moment that underscored the urgency of moral clarity and parental guidance. Together, Pastor Laurie and Dr. Dobson explore how to raise children with Heaven in mind, emphasizing the divine inspiration behind family and the spiritual responsibility of parenting. This wide-ranging interview offers timeless wisdom for anyone seeking to nurture a godly home.
Pastor Greg's statement on the passing of James Dobson:
Dr. James Dobson has gone to Heaven at the age of 89.
I knew James very well, and I can tell you he was a true man of God who lived a life of integrity. I’ll never forget that after our son Christopher went to Heaven 17 years ago, Dr. Dobson personally called us and spent a great deal of time ministering to our whole family.
Over the years I had the privilege of interviewing him many times, including once at a Harvest Crusade, and he also interviewed me on his radio program. We went on a trip to Israel together, as well as to the White House on more than one occasion. He and his devoted wife Shirley shared such a beautiful marriage—one that we would all aspire to.
His life and ministry touched millions as he faithfully taught us how to build godly families. He was a legend, a treasure to the church, and he will be greatly missed.
Listen to Pastor Laurie and Dr. Dobson's conversation by clicking the play button below. If you enjoy this conversation, be sure to follow The Greg Laurie Show on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
