Had a conversation last week with my aunt who worked for a long time in the ER. She said she could always tell when people were dying if they were Christians or not. She said that those who were not, would claw, and struggle and carry on as they passed on into the next life. I got goosebumps hearing her explain it... She talked about how their families would be left in chaos and without hope.
She said that the believers would pass in complete peace, their families grieving the loss but hopeful for the future and rejoicing that their loved one was with Jesus now. It reminded me of a good friend's experience. The husband/father quickly became ill and deteriorated over approximately one month. The immediate family and dear friends from church gathered around praying for them and encouraging them. The father/husband passed away very early one morning with his family gathered around his bedside. In his weakest physical state he found the strength to mouth the words to join his family in singing "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind, but now I see". He passed into the glory of our LORD with a smile on his face, and although aching for their lost father, husband and friend, the family and church moved forward rejoicing for the life of a good man.
And my dear friends, this is the hope that Jesus gifts to us. Not hope only for this life, but even more for the next. And it is a wonderful, wonderful thing.
I Corinthians 15 has an excellent argument for the hope given to us through Christ's death and Resurrection which paid our sin debt. Here are a few excerpts:
19-If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I am so looking forward to going to meet the Lord one day...are you?
Titus 2: 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
3 comments:
Having gone through yet another funeral today of a faithful Christian lady, (Dorothy Harbaugh) I can appreciate this post and the confidence that we have in Him of eternal life together with Him when we place our faith in the work He has done for us through His death on the cross for our sins, and the resurrection (victory over death) that He secured.
Having gone through yet another funeral today of a faithful Christian lady, (Dorothy Harbaugh) I can appreciate this post and the confidence that we have in Him of eternal life together with Him when we place our faith in the work He has done for us through His death on the cross for our sins, and the resurrection (victory over death) that He secured.
I got goosebumps reading that! It's so incredible to know that God has conquered death, so we have nothing to fear!
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