Born Again Christians Purpose of Funerals
Guest Blogger: Jason Helopoulos
Christians need a skilful theology of Christian death. It matters. Should we rejoice or weep when a blood brother or sis in Christ dies? Is a Christian funeral service a celebration or time for mourning? A right understanding of how to consider a Christian'southward death volition stymie the 2 extremes of merely rejoicing or just grieving.
It is routine to hear the heartfelt sentiment of a dearest dying Christian say, "Don't weep when I dice. Rejoice, for I shall be with Christ"? With the same affection, it is normal to hear family members of a deceased Christian say, "He didn't want the states to grieve. Nosotros desire to joyfully remember the life he had and remind ourselves that he is truly in a amend place"? These are endearing statements. We don't want to disparage the amore that moved these sentiments. However, these responses are non sufficient. We should non merely rejoice when a Christian dies.
Every bit Romans tells us, "The wages of sin is expiry" (Romans 6:23). Information technology is not a skilful thing that our Christian friend or family member has passed away. No thing the benefits after death, death itself is an anathema. Death is an unwelcomed guest. Information technology had no identify in creation. Rather, it stormed onto the scene equally the thief of life upon the entrance of sin into this world. Therefore, death itself is not to exist celebrated. We cannot merely rejoice when a Christian dies somehow forgetting that death is an enemy.
For God formed human being from the dust of the globe. Creation is turned on its caput every bit man is returned to the dust in his death. There has been loss and loss that was not meant to be in this earth. There has been death, which had no place in the skilful creation. In fact, at death man is torn asunder. His body and soul, created as one person, is separated. It is true that at that moment when a Christian dies, their soul immediately passes into the presence of Christ (Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23), just their body is left to decay. The soul is naked earlier the Lord. And the body lies lifeless and void of the soul until the resurrection. Therefore, in that location is a sense in which we could say that our naked souls are longing for the twenty-four hour period of resurrection. For on that twenty-four hour period they will be reunited to our bodies never to feel that horrible separation again. We will forever dwell as we were created to be.
Martha, Mary, and their friends have good reason to weep at the loss of Lazarus (John 11:33). The Scriptures never ask Christians to deny the feeling of grief–information technology is a right and holy sadness. And we should never ask our loved ones to deny that emotion either. There is a sort of super-spirituality present with such a request or repression. It is an attitude that surpasses the instruction of the Bible and what our Creator has asked of the states.
However, nosotros should not simply grieve. When a Christian dies we should also be filled with rejoicing. Truly, for the Christian, "to live is Christ, and to dice is gain" (Philippians one:21). Every bit a laic in Christ departs from this life they are immediately in a far improve identify (Philippians ane:23). They are with Christ! They have finished the race and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7); and that organized religion has become sight (2 Corinthians 5:vii). They no longer see in a mirror dimly, but see Him face to face (one Corinthians xiii:12). The object of their love, affection, and joy is before and with them forevermore.
What glories await the Christian at death. One moment, a feeble sinner experiencing the miseries of this life, and the next moment, one who is adorned with the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8) in the presence of the King of Glory. In that location the Christian shall exist–surrounded past His celebrity. A glory which banishes all our enemies. In that place in that location shall no longer exist the feel of loss, grief, pain, discomfort, or regret. Rather, the saint shall dwell in sheer joy and bliss every bit they revel in the beauty and glory of their Savior and God forever. Therefore, nosotros should rejoice at the death of a Christian, for equally the Apostle Paul says, they are "in a far better place" (Philippians 1:23). There may exist no greater understatement always penned–for what glories await us!
When a brother or sister in the Lord passes away, in that location should exist grief and rejoicing. They both take a place. We grieve for what is lost and rejoice at what is gained. That is a good Christian theology of Christian death.
Source: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/christian-death-mourn-or-celebrate/
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