John 14:6 says”Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth , and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
I know this is a topic we don’t enjoy talking about but it is a reality. When a person dies we attend their funeral especially if we know them. But one of the things not all but some pastors will say is that they will no longer suffer and that they have gone to heaven.
Now this is where I have a problem with this, because for one they are giving the family false hope and secondly the bible tells us if they did not accept Jesus into their hearts than their eternity is hell. Now I can see why some people do this because the family is grieving but let me ask you a question. Did not Jesus address this same question concerning death?
I know we just aren’t going to go to them at that moment and say well did he or she accept Jesus into their lives? But what I have noticed is some pastors will ask people to come and accept Jesus now before the time runs out. Does it make it right to witness at a funeral? Some may say yes some may say no. But for a person who is born again and when you attend their funeral you can tell the difference between one who went home to be with the Lord and one who did not know the Lord.
Yes there is weeping that is natural but when a child of God has been called by the Lord to come home its celebration time. I know when my mother passed away three years ago yes we cried but we had so much joy that if anyone walked in off from the streets they would never thought we was having a funeral..
So I ask you do we give people false hope to make them feel better knowing the truth or do we tell them the truth? I don’t know about you but I don’t want to give any family false hope. I will ask that family did their love one accepted Jesus into their hearts and if they tell me no than I must witness to them..Because according to this and all other scripture Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Please don’t get me wrong I know we must be sensitive but at what cost are we sensitive that we ignore God’s word or we sensitive to man and his feelings that we make an excuse telling them they are in heaven when in reality hell is where they are headed.
And those who feel the need to argue this will always come back with this excuse they could have given their heart to God before they died..only one thing wrong with that is this, no man knows when he is dyeing so how can you if you don’t know thee hour of your death?
Making excuses for anyone just to make a family feel better is not helping them at all. Jesus would not approve of it…
Dear Desiray, this is a sensitive area, but also a needed one for us to consider. The way you approached it is in a caring compassionate way. If someone has already died without accepting Jesus, would we want the rest of the family to not have a chance to hear the gospel themselves, before they die? God bless you as you minister to us in Jesus name.
Debbie you are right we must approach the right way I totally agree I just don’t like how people make false excuses and hopes to a family when we must all face reality…Like yesterday for instance I was on my twitter page and a young lady asked would someone pray for her because she needed it. I guess God wanted me to see it because at the time no one else offered her prayer so I responded to her left her a prayer and then asked what can I pray for you about. She told me that her relative died, and immediately I told her I was going to inbox her privately so I can type more. but before I did that I ask God to give the family comfort. She than read my inbox what I sent to her and I asked her did he know Jesus before he died and she said yes he’s been serving him a long time. And she thanked me for being concern for her. Was the time right one might say no..but I had to ask..she could of told me to mind my business but she didn’t…She blessed me when she told me he was saved she blessed me when she said thank you for being concerned. Now this young lady don’t even know me and I don’t know her but when we can show love of Christ that is what makes people respond…So in this case I guess I will never know if my approach was right or wrong. but from the answer she gave I will take it as a yes.
Death is always a touchy topic and so are many others but we have to always look at how Jesus dealt with these topics..He came right out with those questions never held back and neither should we…We are to mourn with those who mourn we are to rejoice with those who are rejoicing that is showing Jesus to them…Even when they don’t see it or understand it..thank you sister Debbie for commenting..you was not afraid of this topic and for that you bless me…