No Room for the Reaper

But I have heard that he who is skilful in managing the life entrusted to him for a time travels on the land without having to shun rhinoceros or tiger, and enters a host without having to avoid buff coat or sharp weapon. The rhinoceros finds no place in him into which to thrust its horn, nor the tiger a place in which to fix its claws, nor the weapon a place to admit its point. And for what reason?  Because there is in him no place of death. – Lao Tzu

Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. --James 1:15

I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me -- John 14:30  [KJV -- the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me]

… to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace … Roman 8:6

Lao Tzu wasn’t talking about physical death.  Neither is James.  The body will wear out.  People can eat right, exercise, wear sunscreen, get injections, tucks, and lifts, replace knees and hips; they will die.  Years, miles, wear and tear, rust – it doesn’t matter.  We get about a billion heart beats and we are done. 

No, the life we can't lose is the God kind of life, eternal, abundant, overflowing, everlasting.  When, from the cross in that last moment of agony, Jesus cried out, "Tetelestai!", our debt was paid in full, finished.  Any hold the enemy could have gotten on us, any claim he could have made against us was voided, nullified.  

Have faith.  Set your mind on the Spirit.  Live skillfully.  Live without fear.