Weekly devotional 6-10-19
Physical Death is not the Cessation of Life
Recently, a Christian brother passed into glory leaving the restrictions of his physical life behind. Those who knew him certainly are experiencing a sense of loss, especially those who were closest to him, but all should take heart. This separation is only temporary. He, being a born again Christian, is now in the presence of his Savior. Someday all who have been born again will also be in their Savior’s presence. This is the promise of our Lord Himself. We read of this promise in the gospel of John. Having told His disciples that He would soon be leaving them he said, “1Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3). The apostle Paul by inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote, “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord” (2nd Corinthians 5:6).
God created man to be in relationship with him, but because of sin that relationship was ended. God, however, made provision to restore this relationship by the sacrifice of Himself in the person of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. It’s hard to fathom such love, but Jesus affirms this in His discourse with Nicodemus. We read; “16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17). Jesus, when comforting Martha in the death of her brother Lazarus, said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25).
We Christians may sorrow because of the void that we experience when a loved one passes into the presence of the Lord, but for us it is only temporary.
Blessings
Steve Lampman, Creator and editor of: “Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man” – stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
All Scripture usage is from the NKJB