Saturday, October 4, 2008

How Do I Answer Her?

My friend called tonight, she returned from a funeral and was upset about a few things. One is that the pastor there made it clear that the deceased was gone from us but had the hope of the resurrection. My friend is upset that the pastor doesn't believe we are already immortal and death is just escaping from this life so we can immediately "be in heaven" with Jesus.
What could I say? I don't believe that either.
There is only one verse in scripture I can think of that sounds as if that's the case. Maybe two. Overall, there are many, many that say the dead are dead, the dead know nothing, we await the promised resurrection, eternal life is a gift for believers only, etc.
The other is where the kingdom is - in heaven or on earth. I can't give any worthwhile discussion on that, I just can't tell.

5 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 6, 2008 at 5:15 AM

    Hi,

    I know the awkwardness of situations like that...best thing you can do is not say anything at all...in reality you nor I know what is going to happen at the end...i lean toward the simple and honest scientific explanation: that there is nothing after this, unless proven otherwise...so, at death, the body begins to decompose...and that is it...no afterlife...no reunion with family...just decomposing

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  2. AnonymousOctober 6, 2008 at 9:45 AM

    Because so many people chose to endure hideous deaths rather than recant and deny their knowledge that God is real and sent His son, I have to assume they were shown something! Faith(fulness?) is the evidence of things not seen.
    I don't know if my friend "knows" or "KNOWS", if she's adamantly sticking to what she's heard because she trusts me and others who know God is real. The whole approach/response is different.
    For one, certain truths will turn them away, but for those who know God is real just like they know their son is their son, it's just more to find out.

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  3. Mel Avila AlarillaOctober 7, 2008 at 1:37 PM

    People believe in what they want to believe but we are not saved by what we believe in. We are saved by our personal relationship with Jesus Christ and we put our trust in Him. If we accept Him as our Lord and savior and surrender our lives to Him, then the word of God promises us eternal life. (John 3:16) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." The Bible said, "it is appointed for man to die once and after that judgment." The Bible also says, "you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." And who or what is the truth? John 14:6 says, "Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me." And Acts 4:12 says, "Salvation is found in no one else for there is no name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." The above quotations clearly state that the only way to salvation is Jesus Christ. If there is any other way, would not the Father prescribed them and spared His Son the agonizing death on the cross. Think about that. Thanks for the post. God bless you always.

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  4. Mel Avila AlarillaOctober 7, 2008 at 1:37 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Karen and GerardOctober 12, 2008 at 7:17 PM

    That is tough to know what to say in this situation, but perhaps you could just ask her if she would like to know what you believe. If she says "yes" then you can go ahead and share the scripture with her that shows why you believe as you do. If she says "no," then just let her know you are there if she needs anything and just pray for her.

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