To lose a loved one or a friend to death is a traumatic experience to say the least. Most, if not all of us, have been there. Particularly for those who believe in heaven and hell, it is only natural to want the best for them after death. Unfortunately, far too many people do not face reality at this point.

For several years now, I have noticed comments made by the living concerning those who have died before us. I have noticed especially those comments made of the deceased that brought alarm and sadness to play.

There are many cases where only God knows the eternal destiny of an individual who dies, but He gives us a strong clue as to what to look for in someone’s life as to whether or not they are a child of God. Please read Matthew 7:13-29. John the Apostle also states,

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” (1 John 2:19)

The comments below have been stated of people who have passed away, but never showed any signs of faith in Jesus Christ being alive in their lives, and actually most were quite the contrary.

·        I’m sure ______ has a party rocking in heaven right now.

·        ______ has gone home now, guided by his faith and by the light of those he

has loved and lost.

·        May God Bless ______, and may he rest in eternal peace.

·        Your works, all of them, over many years praise you.

·        She is resting peacefully next to her son.

·        I would like to end by thanking God for taking ______ at her most beautiful and radiant.

·        They’ve gone home.

·        The angels are rejoicing.

·        Heaven got even better when they arrived.

·        Heaven could never reject one who has done so much for others.

·        Heaven now has one of our best.

·        They’re at rest.

·        They’re at peace.

·        They’re in a better place.

·        They’re looking down on us.

Whether these comments (and many others) come from people I know or those in the public eye who I do not know, if the deceased did not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, they are not “resting peacefully”. Jesus said that He is the only way to the Father,

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

No matter how much you may have liked or loved the deceased, if they did not know Jesus as Savior, they died lost. No matter how close they were to you in relationship, if they did not know Jesus as Savior, they died lost. This is why we need to witness to those we love while they are alive, but how can one witness about Jesus, if they too do not know Him?

Very often those who make no bones about not being a Christian are the first to assume that everything is okay with their loved one or friend. Why is this? It is due to a wishy-washy state of religion that has befallen the church today.

·        Most Christians are basically ignorant of the Word, and do not witness.

·        Most who claim to be Christians think they can “walk the aisle” and then “walk with the world” and everything will be okay.

·        Most think that since God is love, He would never send anyone to hell, even when He has actually done all He can to provide the only escape, His Son Jesus.

·        Most think, “I’m a good person, so everything will be okay.”

·        Most have no understanding of the Biblical term “works.”

In the church (which is shameful) and in society (which is expected) there is a total lack of truth about salvation (being born again, becoming a Christian).

I have purposely not given any examples or provided any names of popular people who have passed away and would clearly fit the subject matter of this article. There is no need for that, but if you’re in tune with the true meaning and method of salvation, I’m sure you also can come up with plenty.

So what is the bottom line? If you are a Christian, and your loved one or friend claims to be a Christian, but shows no sign of Jesus living in their life, witness to them. They are either both lost and bound for hell when they die, or they are out of fellowship with God and need to get their act together with the Father. God knows. We often don’t. Either way, they need a mature Christian leading them to Jesus.

What about those popular people who are immediately known when the television is turned on? We can pray that someone in their circle of family and friends can reach them for Christ, giving them the truth. We can also pray for them ourselves.

 

Grant Phillips

What does it mean for a Christian to be “content?” The Apostle Paul explained it this way;

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

“Content” in verse one is defined in Strong’s Lexicon as:

1) sufficient for one’s self, strong enough or possessing enough to need no aid or support

2) independent of external circumstances

3) contented with one’s lot, with one’s means, though the slenderest

Paul suffered much for the Lord, and he also had times of jubilation, but in all cases, he was content.

To clarify the above passage even more, let us read it in another translation.

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13 NLT)

Most Christians, if not all, would probably prefer to live on the mountain tops of life, but that cannot always be the case. The valleys must be traveled also for optimum spiritual growth.

I’ve heard ministers promote “getting high on God” in their feel good sermons, attempting to induce congregations into a state of artificial happiness. I recall reading that the Apostle Paul said,

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” (Romans 12:15)

King Solomon said,

“To EVERY thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)

So we see that there will be mountain top experiences, but there will also be times of sorrow. Most of the remainder of the time however will be spent in between, just living. Based on the introductory passage above, we can be content at all times, regardless of our circumstances.

I have found over the years that most Christians must lean on someone else or an “experience” to be content, but not Paul. What made him any different than the rest of us? He was a saved sinner, like every other Christian. There is no secret to his contentedness. He leaned on Jesus. That is where we need to be.

Immature Christians will equate being contented with everything always going perfectly, but life is not perfect. Better yet, they will think that if they are not happy, then they are not contended. Paul said he was always contended. That means that even when he was being beaten, he was contended. Why? His strength came from Christ, and not himself. If Jesus wanted him in any particular situation or experiencing any particular need or enjoyment, he was content to be there, and that brought him happiness, even in the most unpleasant of circumstances. He was happy to serve his Lord. Whether the sun was shining in his life, or the rain was falling, he was happy because he was content in the Lord’s presence. We as Christians are always in the Lord’s presence because His Spirit lives within us. So should we not always be content, or “happy” if you prefer?

Some Christians get confused when they’re in church services, song services, evangelistic services, etc. and wonder why they can’t be at the top of the Ferris wheel of happiness like everyone else. But is that really the case? Is everyone else always happy … really? Some circumstances will usually induce happiness, just as funerals will induce sorrow. We are not going to walk around with a smile from ear to ear all the time though, any more than we will walk through life always with a tear.

Let us not gauge our state of being, as a Christian, on an occasion, or by other people. True Christian living is gauged on the level of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Anything else is either self-induced or mob induced. It is not real.

Contrary to pseudo religious thinking, contentedness is produced from a peace that only comes from God. It is not self-induced expressions of outward glee, nor self-induced expressions of sorrow. So can a Christian always be contended in Christ? Yes, when we realize that contentedness comes not from outward verbalizations or expressions, other people, or events, but a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ in our hearts.

I have seen so many occasions of Christians putting on a show of happiness or sorrow especially when they are around other Christians. (I know I’m beating this horse to death, but bear with me.) I notice in particular how people sometimes make a mockery of being happy, or sad, while in church services. They put on their “church face”, their “church voice” and even “hand and body expressions.” That isn’t living for Jesus! That is mere play acting! It is nothing but being phony!

Many Christians today are not content, because they are looking in all the wrong places. They can’t handle a crisis without falling apart. They can’t even handle success. Jesus said,

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)

This is what Paul did. This is what we should do. This is where we find true contentment, real happiness.

I see three groups of Christians pertaining to this subject matter. They are

(1) those who have discovered Matthew 11:29 and are content, as was Paul, (2) those who have not discovered Matthew 11:29, but want everyone to think they have, and lastly,

(3) those who have not discovered Matthew 11:29 but are impressed by those who think they have, and try to emulate them.

Groups two and three are shocked by anything outside the walls of the church building. Within the walls, they put on a great show. Those people on the outside though … well … they’re just … “those people.” Allow me to clarify.

They prefer not to be around “those people” who are not up to the standards of their dignified high-class, spiritual living, but these are the very ones that Jesus was often seen with, as was Paul.

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matthew 9:13)

What is Jesus saying here? He is saying that He did not come to call those who think they are already righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent. Those who think they are righteous are not and therefore not content in Jesus Christ. Those who know they are sinners are not content, but are open for the contentedness that can be only be found in Jesus Christ.

The scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day were group number two above. They haven’t changed any today. They still “put on airs.” They are so “holy,” they would have you believe their children were delivered by the stork, they never go to the bathroom, and they would never ever pass gas. They are “content” in themselves, but are they “content” as Paul said in the leading passage? The obvious answer is a resounding “No.” If their “boat is rocked,” they will have nothing to lean on but their own self-righteousness. Paul gloried in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

What about group number three? Pity comes to mind with these folks. They are so immature in their relationship with Jesus they never seem to grow up. They go through life as Christian babes (not darlings, but babies), stagnant in any spiritual growth and following the wrong crowd; i.e. group number two.

Groups two and three definitely must lean on an experience or other people to survive. They have not discovered they are leaning on the wrong light pole. Jesus is our light, and it is His light we should follow.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105)

So how did group one ever find the contentedness that Paul had? Again, they listened to Matthew 11:29.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

If you, as a Christian, really want to be content in your life, the bottom line can be narrowed down to just three words that Jesus said; i.e. “Learn of Me.” To know Christ is to be content. We don’t need to pretend, or put on a show to others. We don’t need to lean on everyone else or some high-powered emotional event. All we really need is an open relationship with Jesus.

How is that accomplished you ask? It can only be had through daily prayer and Bible study. Why prayer? We talk to Him via prayer. Why Bible study? He talks to us via His Word, the Bible. As we are fed, on a daily basis, we grow stronger spiritually, just has our bodies are strengthened by being fed earthly food. As we grow in Him, we become content in Him with the exclusion of anything and everything else. We do not need frail props such as other people, events, things, etc. Only Jesus can satisfy and fulfill the craving of our soul. Then we can say with Paul, “I have learned how to be content.”

 

Grant Phillips