Hope
In last month’s article, we noted man’s curiosity forces us to ask, “Where have I come from?” Yet, as surely as we seek answers to our origins man also naturally wants to know of his future. Once the reality of death is established, we ask, “What happens after death?” Do we merely become worm food? Is our death in this life an hopeless end?
Apparently, to some individuals, this must be their outlook on life. If one does not believe in a God, He cannot believe in the great hope only God can offer beyond this life. Rejecting God is a rejection of eternal comfort, heaven or hell and a judgment to come. Therefore, their life is lived with the philosophy “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” (1 Corinthians 15:32).
For those with this mindset, funerals must be unbearable. They are a complete and final end of all life. They are hopeless. There is no belief “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain…” (Revelation 21:4). If there is no hope, grief reaches an acute intensity.
“Our
families need to
hear this Biblical
message. Fear can
become consuming
and death’s cold chill
horrifying without
hope. Yet, our hope
in Jesus is “an
anchor of the soul.””
For this reason, Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “...I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Without hope, sorrows are multiplied at death.
Yet, Paul had a logical reason for believing in life beyond death. In verse 14 he says, “...if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” Later, he would write, “...we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (4:17-18).
Friends, heaven is not just mere wishful thinking. It is based on a simple, documented fact of history—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If God could raise Jesus from the dead, he can raise us too when life is over. Yet, such a promise is only extended to those who believe and obey Jesus Christ.
Our families need to hear this Biblical message. Fear can become consuming and death’s cold chill horrifying without hope. Yet, our hope in Jesus is “an anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:19-20). As Jesus overcame death, so we will someday! We do not face a sad departure from our friends, but look forward to a reunion with the faithful.
With this in mind, we must “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
Do you have a hope beyond this life?
August 2008