THE LOSS

I lost a dear friend this week. I visited with her two months before she passed. We spoke of family, church and the goodness of God. I told her of our upcoming trips. She was so interested in everything we were doing. All the places we were going. She wanted to know whose churches we were ministering in. Did we have any upcoming mission trips? I told her numerous times how much I loved and treasured her. We held each other’s gaze, saying all the unsaid things with our eyes. Each of us wondering silently whether this would be our last visit.

That evening, I conveyed to my husband how fragile she was, and wondered if I would get to see her again on this side of eternity. That was the final time I saw her. I won’t be able to attend her memorial service because we’ll be on the mission trip to Trinidad that I had spoken with her about.

I’ve lost many people in my life. Some were Born Again and living a sanctified life close to the Lord. I had every reason to believe I will see them again in the presence of the Lord and His saints. Others were not Born Again, and were living a life in rebellion to God’s Word. Or they were Born Again, but in a backslidden state, refusing to humble themselves in repentance. I had no reason to believe I will see them again in the presence of the Lord and His saints.

I can judge righteous judgement according to the Word of God. In the the end, however, it is God alone who makes the final decision. Even though He is a merciful God, He does judge by His Word, and only He is qualified to make the final call.

I’m very thankful the weight of people’s eternity is not on my shoulders. I will tell you, however, that judging the fruit of someone’s life can definitely bring you hope or heartache, depending on how they lived.

THE HOPE

The following passage assures that God wants us to have hope when our loved ones pass who are Born Again and living a sanctified life.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

¹⁶ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

¹⁸ Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

These words do indeed bring me comfort. My sweet friend, who was Born Again, and lived her whole life in the service of the Lord is gone from my presence for now.  For how long, I do not know. What I do know is when Gabriel blows that last trumpet, whether it’s a decade or a hundred years from now, both of our mortal bodies will be changed to immortality in a moment, and we will rise up to meet the Lord and all His saints in the air to forever be with our Savior.

Death is certain, and eternity is real. I desire for you to have this same hope for yourself and your loved ones. There are many paths that promise hope that end in false peace. But the Word of God is sure. In order to have real hope and assurance of eternity, you must be Born Again according to scripture, and live a repentant and sanctified life like my friend.

THE SCRIPTURAL PATTERN

JESUS: Death -> Burial -> Resurrection

YOU: Repentance -> Baptism in Jesus’ Name -> Be Filled With the Holy Ghost 

 

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.“ (Acts 2:38-39)

Warm Regards,

~Pat Vick~