“But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 NLT)
Life is fragile, not only for preborn and infants, but every human being. The truth is we literally have no idea when we open our eyes to a new day whether we’ll be alive to see another sunrise. For those who are not yet born again of the Spirit, I’m hopeful that will be a wake-up call, but for those whose lives are being held in our Father’s capable hands, we delight at the thought.
Of course, it frightens us when we think of our loved ones and friends who have yet to yield their lives to Jesus, but we pray each day to let them see the Light of life before it’s eternally too late. In a note I wrote my son this morning I said: “I’m praying that sooner than later you’ll realize that what you’re chasing isn’t worth it in the end. It’s just stuff that someone else has to deal with after the real you leaves your body and meets God. It’s a lot better if you meet Him before that inevitable day. I love you and I can’t stand the thought of being in heaven without you.”
You need to know that we have a really good relationship, and I don’t “preach” to him or make that the subject of every conversation. He responded to my text with: “Love you, dad. Thank you for the message.” It’s important that love is foundationally the reason for our notes and words of encouragement, not threats or harassment. But it’s also important they understand the reality of death is a haunting certainty for which we must be prepared.
Edward Panosian wrote: “When a man knows he may breakfast on earth and take supper in heaven, temptations must lose much of their power.” That’s a good way to think for a believer, but the realization that death is coming, and we don’t know for sure when, needs to be something that a nonbeliever remembers often also.
As I understand it, our mission is to help people prepare for meeting Jesus, ideally, on earth before they die, but offering a warning of how that meeting will go if they wait too long. It grieves me someone has the audacity to think that God enjoys “sending people to hell.” That’s wrong on many counts. First, Matthew 18:14 lets us know that it’s not God’s will that anyone should perish. Why would Father God allow His only Son to die for the sins of mankind, then be glad they ignore His sacrifice and go to hell anyway.
But the other picture that comes to mind is Jesus grieving over Jerusalem. My sense is there’s not a lost person who dies that it doesn’t break the heart of our Savior. Dear friend, if you know Jesus, do what He did and lay down your life for your lost loved ones and friends. By that I don’t mean to berate them for their ignorance but love them and give visibility to the love of Christ in the way you treat them.
And if you don’t yet know the Lord personally, please, I implore you, let Him love you and fill you with Himself. His love for you will transform you into the person He’s always known you could become. Please confess your need of Him and invite Him to be the Lord of your life. Knowing Jesus for the last 60+ years has been the greatest decision I’ve ever made. If you’re not sure how to give your life to Him, watch this brief video by Ron Hutchcraft and let him guide you through it.
Blessings, Ed
Walking With Jesus 