Your loved one dies. What’s next? For so many people the next thing is where to bury their loved one. That’s right, where to bury their loved one. The question does not become about where to put a body which inhabits no soul. The question does not become one of how to dispose of the shell of a person. The question does not become about where to allow the dust to return to dust (Genesis 3:19). Most people, whether honest enough to admit it or not, have some depth of belief that their loved one is going to be in some grave. We shall let the Scriptures speak here for a while. Therefore, take careful note to what GOD has to say. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him… For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more… Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust… Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it… There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell [hades] he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Psalms 103: 13-16; 104:29, Ecclesiastes 12:7, and Luke 16:19-31). The Scriptures above show us that we are not visiting someone we love at a gravesite. The Scriptures above show us that we are not able to communicate with the dead. The Scriptures above show us that human remains return to the dust while the spirit lives on outside of this world in hades. The flesh, without the spirit, is worthless (Psalms 6:5; 30:9). For the Christian who dies, we should be able to rejoice though we might miss their presence in our lives. If we truly understand the Scriptures, the death of a Christian is good thing. Why would we cling to the flesh of a Christian when that brother or sister in Christ is better off in death? The Psalmist said: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalms 116:15). When a Christian dies we know that hope is not lost. For when a faithful child of God dies we know he or she will be raised and brought into eternity with the Lord (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; cf. II Corinthians 5:1). We know that when a faithful child of God dies they are going to be in paradise (Luke 23:43). While we may sorrow for the loss we have suffered when those we love die (John 11:20-36), we have to not create a false mindset that they are still with us. If a loved one dies outside of Christ, there is no comfort to be offered. Just realize to the fact that they would not want you where they are (again; Luke 16:19-31). If we as Christians are acting like the dead are still in a grave what are we saying about the word of God? Are we not denying the truth we’ve seen above? What lessons do we teach others if we treat a gravesite like a family reunion hot spot? Christians ought to know about life after death. It is what we live for (Philippians 3:8-14; 20-21). We shall close with an inspired exclamation point on this article: “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1). |
| Volume VIII ~ Issue XLIV ~ July 27th, 2008 |
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
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What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)? Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17),
repent of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your
sins (Acts 2:38 and Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the
church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47 and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful
(Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10). There is more to cover than is here. Contact me today for a study:
brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
repent of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your
sins (Acts 2:38 and Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the
church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47 and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful
(Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10). There is more to cover than is here. Contact me today for a study:
brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
| Edited by: Brian A. Yeager |
| For The Person That’s Not Even There By: Brian A. Yeager |
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| Where Is Your Loved One Who Has Died Physically? |
| Conclusion |
| The Death of a Christian is A Good Thing |
Once a gravesite is determined and the fleshly
remains are buried, then the questions about the
upkeep of the gravesite follow. Some people
spend much time and money keeping up the
appearance of a gravesite. Some decorate those
gravesites according to secular holidays. I’ve
seen gravesites of children with Tonka toy trucks
and other toys on them. Some are simply
absorbed in how a gravesite looks. How far is too
far? How many Christmas lights do you put on
your trashcan?
Once the gravesite is decorated some people
move on to a regular visiting schedule. Some
spend a lot of time visiting and having talks with
the bones that lie in a grave. All of this is done for
a person who is no longer present in this life. For
those proclaiming to be Christians, one has to
wonder why they do not believe what the
Scriptures say about the whereabouts of the soul
beyond this life. For sure, a faithful Christian
understands that a gravesite is merely a waste
yard for human remains.
remains are buried, then the questions about the
upkeep of the gravesite follow. Some people
spend much time and money keeping up the
appearance of a gravesite. Some decorate those
gravesites according to secular holidays. I’ve
seen gravesites of children with Tonka toy trucks
and other toys on them. Some are simply
absorbed in how a gravesite looks. How far is too
far? How many Christmas lights do you put on
your trashcan?
Once the gravesite is decorated some people
move on to a regular visiting schedule. Some
spend a lot of time visiting and having talks with
the bones that lie in a grave. All of this is done for
a person who is no longer present in this life. For
those proclaiming to be Christians, one has to
wonder why they do not believe what the
Scriptures say about the whereabouts of the soul
beyond this life. For sure, a faithful Christian
understands that a gravesite is merely a waste
yard for human remains.
The decorations above are idolatry!