By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope… Therefore encourage one another with these words."
The lose of loved ones can be devastating. This series serves to encourage us in such moments. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians not to mourn like those who have no hope. These are people who die outside the Lord and are lost forever. But to those in Christ, physical death is like sleep. They will be resurrected and together with those alive at Christ’s coming, be joined with the Lord. And forever we shall be with the Lord. The wicked have no such hope. They will be resurected to eternal damnation (John 5:29)!
Physical death to the believer in Christ is a glorious expectation. Painful as it is because of lose of fellowship, the believer rests from their earthly labour, goes to be with the Lord in perfect peace and joy to a grand reception into his heavenly home. Paul longed for it. He knew the glorious hope ahead of him, but purposed to still remain in the body to offer more useful service to others.
No one living in close communion with God should fear death. We pray we live our full years on earth as we serve God’s purpose. When this is done, we should be ready to heed the call to go home where we shall be with the Lord and united with the faithful saints who went ahead of us. Forever our pains, tears, sorrow, rejection, uncertainty and the trials of this life will be no more! That’s the glorious hope the believer can look forward to in death. Hallelujah!
Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants."
Philippians 1:22-24 "If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body."
Shalom children of God.