The tragic news that Kobe Bryant and his daughter were killed in a helicopter crash last Sunday shocked and saddened us all. It didn’t seem possible. It didn’t seem fair. Kobe Bryant was only 41 years old, and his daughter Gianna was only thirteen. Kobe was an athletic icon, a fierce competitor, and one of the greatest ever to play in the NBA. He led the Los Angeles Lakers to five world championships. Kobe was more than a basketball player; he was a national celebrity.

Over the past week, I’ve read a number of tweets and articles expressing condolences to the Bryant family and the families of 7 others killed in the horrific crash. People from all over the world responded with expressions of sympathy and reminders of what really matters in life.

I especially appreciated the comments from the University of Louisville basketball coach Chris Mack. Coach Mack was affected because he heard the news while traveling with his own daughter to her basketball game, just as Kobe Bryant had been doing. Mack tweeted, “So incredibly sad. Gut-wrenching. Hug your loved ones. You never really know.”

Most of the comments I read were appropriate and helpful. Many reminded us that life is fragile and encouraged us to appreciate our loved ones and make the most of every precious day. Those are good lessons we all need to heed. The Bible says, “Life is a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”

However, not much has been said about something that I consider the most important lesson and needs underscoring. The tragic death of Kobe Bryant should jolt us into being ready to face God at any moment. The Bible says,“…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this, the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 KJV).

Let’s be honest. The sudden death of a celebrity in the prime of life not only saddens and shocks us, but it also sobers us. It’s chilling to have such a tangible reminder of our own mortality. We realize we could die at any moment. We could face judgment in seconds — without warning.  

The Bible says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). That’s frightening because most of us are very mindful of our failures and transgressions. We fear being held accountable for our sins. We’re uncertain if we will wind up in heaven or hell.

The Bible teaches that Jesus paid the price of our sins on the cross in order to “free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:15).  We can live every moment to the fullest, not by denying death, but by facing its reality and having confidence that our sins are buried in the deepest sea, and God remembers them no more! We can have the calm assurance of eternal life in heaven when we die. That is the daily “peace that passes understanding” that Jesus Christ offers to us all.

The Bible has incredible depth, and it will never be completely understood. But the Biblical plan of salvation is very simple — it is to trust Jesus and not ourselves. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The Biblical response to God’s gracious offer of salvation is as simple as ABCD:

Admit humbly you are a sinner and in need of a Savior. “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” No one is good enough to earn heaven. Even our righteousness is “filthy rags” to God.

Believe exclusively on Jesus Christ as God’s Son. Jesus promised, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25).  Jesus didn’t just speculate about life beyond the grave. He alone demonstrated it by conquering death Himself. He promises that through His power, we can do it too.

Confess publicly your faith in Christ.  “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Jesus died publicly, unashamedly for us. He doesn’t seek “closet” followers but promises if we confess Him before men, He will confess us before our Father in heaven.

Demonstrate decisively your allegiance to Christ by repenting of sin and being baptized.  “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).  Repentance is an intentional changing of the mind and behavior. Baptism is the benchmark — the public declaration that we die to sin, are buried with Christ, and “rise to walk in newness of life.” (See Romans 6:4.)

God always keeps His promises. He will forgive your sin, grant you eternal life, and fill you with His Spirit if you only trust Him. Then you will be free from the bondage of sin and the fear of death. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart.” 

I don’t know much about Kobe Bryant’s faith, but I sure hope he placed his trust in Christ and that I get to meet him someday in heaven. Don’t you?

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