Death Punishment?

Q: This has always been on my mind and I've never got a clear answer. Is death a punishment for sin?

A: Well physical death is not the punishment for sin. It is part of the cycle of life here on earth. However, I would say that spiritual death is the ultimate punishment for sin. I count as spiritual death anyone who is not going to heaven to spend eternity with Christ.

The Bible tells us that Jesus "conquered the grave," which means that He overcame the dynamics of death. Another way to think about that would be to see what death is when one is with Jesus --- it isn't death at all. It's simply that human life cycle. But attend the funeral of someone who never committed their life to Christ, and you've got a much sadder affair. There is no further reason for hope in that individual's life. Said differently, death in their particular life was not conquered by Christ.