How Believers Can View Death
One of the most difficult things that life can present us with is the passing of a loved one. Even Christians, who know that Heaven is our true home, losing a loved one is still a sad and difficult thing. It is natural to feel a sense of loss when a loved one has passed on the Heaven. It can take some time to adjust to a new life without the physical presence of one who was dear. But, as believers, our perspective on death does not have to be sorrowful. As Paul says €Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?€ (1 Cor. 15:55 NIV).
Through His death on the cross Jesus took the €sting€ away from death because He brought us Salvation; eternal life with Him. Before Jesus' death He told his disciples: €Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.€ (John 14:1-3 NIV). In this passage Jesus was comforting his disciples and assuring them that He was indeed preparing a place where they could be together. He has extended that same assurance to us, and to all who believe in Him.
Depending on the circumstances, a death can be very traumatic. Perhaps a sudden accident left a loved one dead, or a precious life was cut short by the hand of another. Death is not a light matter, and even though we know that our loved ones who pass away have certainly improved their lot, there is often much we do not understand about God's timing, or why one life is spared, and another cut short. But, there are a few things that we can be sure of, regardless.
One, that God is very close to each of His children. He is not flippant about what happens in our lives. Psalms 116:15 says €Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.€ (NIV). It is with great love and tenderness that He welcomes each of His children home, and we can rejoice with that thought.
And secondly, our life is always in God's hands. He is able to perfect all that concerns us, and our loved ones. We can trust Him! Romans 14:8 tells us €If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.€ (NIV).
Paul assures all of God's children with this promise: €For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.€ (Rom. 8:38-39 NIV).
Through His death on the cross Jesus took the €sting€ away from death because He brought us Salvation; eternal life with Him. Before Jesus' death He told his disciples: €Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.€ (John 14:1-3 NIV). In this passage Jesus was comforting his disciples and assuring them that He was indeed preparing a place where they could be together. He has extended that same assurance to us, and to all who believe in Him.
Depending on the circumstances, a death can be very traumatic. Perhaps a sudden accident left a loved one dead, or a precious life was cut short by the hand of another. Death is not a light matter, and even though we know that our loved ones who pass away have certainly improved their lot, there is often much we do not understand about God's timing, or why one life is spared, and another cut short. But, there are a few things that we can be sure of, regardless.
One, that God is very close to each of His children. He is not flippant about what happens in our lives. Psalms 116:15 says €Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.€ (NIV). It is with great love and tenderness that He welcomes each of His children home, and we can rejoice with that thought.
And secondly, our life is always in God's hands. He is able to perfect all that concerns us, and our loved ones. We can trust Him! Romans 14:8 tells us €If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.€ (NIV).
Paul assures all of God's children with this promise: €For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.€ (Rom. 8:38-39 NIV).
