Dying and Dignity

I have lived long enough to see topics debated in classrooms that were supported by a minority of students be adopted by various States in the U.S. and other countries--things like the legalisation of marijuana and euthanasia.  As public opinion and the moral and ethical stances of people can shift over time, so does the English language.  The phrasing of things often evolves to sound more acceptable to those opposed to the idea.  For instance, I observed the concept of "gay marriage" change to "same-sex marriage" and finally land on "marriage equality."  While society and terminology is bound to change, I am willing to be one of those who make an effort to hold fast to the orthodox meaning of words like "marriage," as it is very specific in a biblical sense:  the lifelong union of one man and one woman by God.  

All students of God's word know that words matter:  undermining or changing the meaning of words leads people into confusion, misunderstanding and error.  One word I have heard used frequently in articles about euthanasia--which also has been called "assisted suicide" and now "voluntary assisted dying"--is the connection (possibly for the alliteration) of "dying with dignity."  This has become a euphemism for seeking medical assistance to end one's life.  The modern Cambridge Dictionary definition of "dignity" is, "calm, serious, and controlled behaviour that makes people respect you; the importance and value that a person has, that makes other people respect them or makes them respect themselves."  Now consider the different definition from Webster's 1828 Dictionary:  "True honor; nobleness or elevation of mind, consisting in a high sense of propriety, truth and justice, with an abhorrence of mean and sinful actions...honorable place or rank of elevation; degree of excellence...an elevated office, civil or ecclesiastical, giving a high rank in society..."  The Cambridge definition of dignity is about being respected and respecting yourself whilst Webster cites dignity as honour, elevation and excellence in an objective sense.  There is a dignity we can demand for ourselves, but there is a far greater and lasting dignity which is given from submission to God--even in the manner or timing of our death.

It is not my aim to take potshots at those who have embraced the "dying with dignity" movement that is currently active and likely growing around the world.  I am convinced Death brings no dignity to mankind whatsoever.  Death does not elevate or bestow respect upon mankind but ultimately forces people willingly or unwillingly to the grave.  The dignity man seeks for himself is a murky hint of true dignity God extends to all who know and love Him.  When Jesus was lifted up on the cross, He did not die for Himself but experienced death for all mankind.  It is indeed noble Jesus would lay down His life to provide atonement for lost sinners who are underserving of God's love and favour.  Rather than seeking to end His pain and suffering, Jesus embraced it to redeem souls doomed to destruction.  A living man has more dignity than the dead because God created us in His own image to live and live with Him.  True dignity is not obtained by trying to control our lives, by making the call when or how we want to die, but by joyful acknowledgment of the sovereign God who gives us life on earth and eternal life in His presence.  It is God who dignifies man--not death or the timing and manner of it.

From a biblical perspective, seeking dignity or trying to cling to it is to aim far below the abundant life God has granted us by faith in Jesus Christ that seeks to honour Him.  From a human vantage point I understand the desire to end chronic pain and wanting to avoid physical decline in the face of a terminal medical prognosis or an incurable disease.  Yet the cross of Christ shows us there is greater honour in facing pain at the end of life with courage and joyful resolve, knowing we will rise again without sickness or pain in glory because Jesus died so we shall live.  There is great honour for those who receive a trial of sickness and suffering as from the hand of the almighty God and continue to affirm He is good, choosing to entrust their lives presently and in the future to the LORD who holds them close.  This faith in God will overcome the world, sickness, pain and death, and our times are in God's hands (Psalm 31:15).

If suffering leads you to consider "ending it all," it seems focus has drifted from our Saviour Jesus to self and to choose death Jesus died to save us from.  Rather than seeking death by medical means or otherwise, our call as Christians is to seek Him because He is our life.  Paul wrote in Colossians 3:1-4, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."  Death for Christians is in our past, for Jesus died for us and our life is hidden with the risen Christ in God.  Jesus has promised to return, and know every day we live--complete with inconveniences, pains, sorrows and suffering--is a precious gift He has given us to live with Him in mind.  We can die with dignity and lose it, but those who lose their lives and dignity for Christ's sake will find honour and elevation beyond compare forever.