You Should Hold to the Great Truths of Christ
In a time of death when so much is changing about us we need some firm anchor that will hold us. The great facts of our faith provide a solid foundation upon which our grief is based and our new life is built. Job, in the Old Testament, found tragedy after tragedy and yet his faith held him fast. When he learned of the death of his sons and daughters in an accident he declared “Naked I have come from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21). With this rock truth Job learned to rebuild his life in spite of everything.
Jesus encouraged us in time of death to believe in Him. “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me … I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me.” (John 14:1-7). In Jesus there are a number of great truths that can provide this foundation for rebuilding your life. Consider these abiding truths of the faith:-
GOD LOVES YOU – NO MATTER WHAT
In spite of accidents, suffering and death, God cares for you. Knowing that can bring God close to you. One of the great truths of the Bible is that Jesus took upon Himself the nature of man so that He might destroy the power of death and deliver those people who through fear of death live all their lives in bondage (Hebrews 2:14). No matter what has happened, assure yourself of this great fact that God loves you and cares for you. Even if at this minute you may not feel that love, He does still care for you. Your feelings cannot alter the fact of His care.
BEYOND DEATH THERE IS LIFE
This great fact was not only illustrated by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead but we have it on His word “Because I live you will live also”. (John 14:19)
HEAVEN NOW HAS NEW SIGNIFICANCE
Heaven is not far from any one of us. Because we now have loved ones there heaven becomes near and real. For their sake we should not grieve without hope but look forward to our time with God who makes all things new. Look at Revelation 21:1-7 and see the significance of heaven near at hand.
DAILY STRENGTH IS YOURS IF YOU BUT ASK
You remember the old shepherd who was sure that God helped him day by day because he asked for that help? Remember how he said “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4).
YOUR EXPERIENCE CAN HELP OTHERS
Scripture affirms that one of the great truths of the gospel is that by God’s grace you with your experience and limitations can be of use in His ministry. Other people will need someone to stand beside them. Other people need your word of encouragement. They need the strength that comes from seeing a person pass through the experience of death. By God’s grace you can be that person to bring His help to another.
THE RESURRECTION CAN BE YOURS ALSO
The resurrection not only applies to Jesus. He is the first, but all those who by faith believe in Him will also live eternally. Your body will no longer be required. If you wish to, make arrangements to use those parts of your body like your eyes and kidneys that can be the means of bringing new life in a continuing way to someone severely handicapped. Your body is no longer needed, for after death the resurrection ensures a new body with your spirit housed by God. (1 John 3:1-2).
Right in the early part of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus promised “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). That promise is available to all who hold on to the great truths of life and death revealed to us by Jesus.
I am writing this in my hillside home overlooking Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. A large passenger liner which has been in my view for the last half hour is about to disappear over the horizon where it will soon end its journey at the docks. Now it has gone. Those people have crossed the horizon. But at this moment, now, it comes into the view of those awaiting on the dock. They will eagerly greet their long awaited loved ones. On this side of death when a loved one departs we see no more. But on the other side they are greeted with joy as life goes on!