Two dear friends lost loved ones this last week, one anticipated because of a long illness and the other completely unexpected. Regardless of the circumstances, someone’s death is always an abrupt reminder that our time on earth is finite, and also raises the question, but is our life?
There are varying beliefs about what happens after death. Some believe that when we die, we just cease to exist. Some, that we are reincarnated. Others believe that everyone goes to a “better” place, and finally some believe that there is both a heaven and a hell, but then disagree on the criteria for who goes where.
I am not here to argue the various sides, but I do hope that whatever position a person takes, that he or she has based it on a substantial and firm foundation and not wishful thinking, TV or movie portrayals, or personal opinion, as I believe this is the most important decision a person makes. I have heard through accounts from those who have been with their loved ones at their time of death that some have passed on at peace and with a smile on their face while others have met death in utter torment. So there is a difference.
Those of you who have been following my blog, know that I believe in the inerrancy of the Bible (blogs 8/12/2015 and 8/19/2015). Because of that belief, I hold the position that we can have the assurance of eternal life by accepting Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us. Though there are many verses that attest to this, I was reminded of one of the most compelling this past week at the memorial service for my dear friend’s husband. It is John 14:1-6, when Jesus speaks to his disciples:
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know , and the way you know . . . I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Paul reminds believers again in I Thessalonians 4:13-14:
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep In Jesus.”
Death was never meant to be and does not have to be a scary and uncertain prospect, but rather one of peace and assurance.
Below are other verses which speak of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
John 11:25, John 5:24, Luke 23:43, John 3:16, Matthew 10:28, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, John 16:22, Philippians 3:20-21, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Hebrews 9:27, Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 5:8, John 14:6, Proverbs 12:28, Romans 10:9-13, Acts 24:15, Revelation 20:1-15, John 5:28-29, John 14:1-31
There are varying beliefs about what happens after death. Some believe that when we die, we just cease to exist. Some, that we are reincarnated. Others believe that everyone goes to a “better” place, and finally some believe that there is both a heaven and a hell, but then disagree on the criteria for who goes where.
I am not here to argue the various sides, but I do hope that whatever position a person takes, that he or she has based it on a substantial and firm foundation and not wishful thinking, TV or movie portrayals, or personal opinion, as I believe this is the most important decision a person makes. I have heard through accounts from those who have been with their loved ones at their time of death that some have passed on at peace and with a smile on their face while others have met death in utter torment. So there is a difference.
Those of you who have been following my blog, know that I believe in the inerrancy of the Bible (blogs 8/12/2015 and 8/19/2015). Because of that belief, I hold the position that we can have the assurance of eternal life by accepting Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us. Though there are many verses that attest to this, I was reminded of one of the most compelling this past week at the memorial service for my dear friend’s husband. It is John 14:1-6, when Jesus speaks to his disciples:
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know , and the way you know . . . I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Paul reminds believers again in I Thessalonians 4:13-14:
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep In Jesus.”
Death was never meant to be and does not have to be a scary and uncertain prospect, but rather one of peace and assurance.
Below are other verses which speak of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
John 11:25, John 5:24, Luke 23:43, John 3:16, Matthew 10:28, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, John 16:22, Philippians 3:20-21, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Hebrews 9:27, Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 5:8, John 14:6, Proverbs 12:28, Romans 10:9-13, Acts 24:15, Revelation 20:1-15, John 5:28-29, John 14:1-31
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