Saturday night I got a call from one of my friends and neighbors that his mother had just passed away. Sunday I went to church and the pastor informed us that one of our faithful members and a longtime usher of the church unexpectedly died in his sleep. Later that day one of my employees called and told me his father had just passed away.
I have been assured by family and friends, who knew each of these departed souls well, that to a person all were dedicated followers of Jesus Christ. And as believers we can know via the Bible that they are currently with Jesus Christ.
This is cause for tremendous celebration, (albeit we cannot help but grieve, because their gain is our loss from the personal perspective of their comforting presence being gone from our lives). But we can remain exceedingly happy that they are at long last victorious and free from all pain, sickness, and suffering, and all tears of sadness will be replaced by tears of joy forever as they enjoy God’s glorious light.
But what about those who have rejected Christ during this life on earth?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves. One thief admonished the other for ridiculing Christ stating that they deserved their punishment, but Jesus was innocent, and then he asked for Jesus to remember him when He entered heaven. Jesus told him: “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise”. This example of one thief confessing his sins and being repentant and being extended divine mercy is contrasted with the awful state of the other thief, who died hardened in unbelief, even though a crucified Savior was so near him is in the Bible for a purpose.
God’s grace can and will be showered upon those who ask for it.
We die every second, minute, hour, and day of the year. Per minute: 108 of us die – Per day: 156 thousand – Per year: 56.7 million. Chances are that someone will die somewhere on this earth before you finish reading this. Our dilemma reminds me of leaves dropping after a heavy winter frost. We burst upon the scene budding out and growing strong and healthy but only for a brief season and then we drop like leaves whenever the wind even slighlty whispers.
Unlike a dead brown leaf though, we live on. Eternal life is either cause for tremendous celebration or wailing and gnashing of the teeth. Soon enough we will face that day ourselves.
What about you? Will you enter paradise?
I have a longtime high school friend who is the same age as me that has been in ICU since August and is in very critical condition and on a ventilator. All indications are that barring a miracle the Lord will call him home sometime soon. Years ago my friend found Jesus, confessed his sins, and asked for forgiveness and God’s grace was lovingly given to him. If his miracle does not come, we can know with certainty that he will enter Christ’s eternal glory soon, maybe even today.
In Jeremiah God stated: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. It’s not difficult to find Him and we don’t have to look far, because He is standing right beside us at this very moment waiting to come into our hearts. Like the thieves on the cross though “we” must soften our hearts and choose life with Jesus or remain hardened and face death by ourselves.
Make your decision to accept Christ while there is yet some time. If you have already done so, then please tell someone else before their time runs out…
Jeremiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.