Posts Tagged ‘eternal life’

Missed But Not Lamented

Posted: April 14, 2011 in Christianity
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Three days ago I had the honor of participating in the “celebration of life” for my friend, Blake Martin (pictured here), who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident.

Blake was an exceptional young man whose death sent shock waves throughout our entire community — military and civilian alike.

It’s fair to say that Blake touched more lives in his 20 short years than most people do in a lifetime. You don’t have to take my word for it, though; you can read it for yourself here, here and here.

It’s fair to ask how anyone could “celebrate” in the midst of such devastating circumstances.

Is that just a religious euphemism that denies reality? Are we self-medicating through our vocabulary? Or are we just plain nuts?

Those are good questions. Those are reasonable questions.

The question about what happens to a person after he/she dies is something that every person will wrestle with at some point.

Death is universal.

Yet a core belief of Christianity is that eternal life is promised to anyone who (1) confesses that Jesus is Lord (implying a lifestyle dedicated to following the teachings of Jesus) and (2) believes in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead (believing with your “heart” requires faith — not empirical evidence).

See John 3:16, 11:25-26; Rom 10:9-13; 1 Cor 15:1-58; 1 Thes 4:13-14 and Rev 21:1-4.

And so it is for the believer that death is nothing to fear — it is simply a rite of passage from one reality to the next.

“These are trying exercises for us—not deaths; they cause us to think of the glory that lies ahead and remind us to prepare for eternity….Our friends who have been freed from this world should not be mourned, since we know they are not lost but simply sent ahead; that in departing they lead the way; that as travellers and [sailors] tend to be, they should be missed, but not lamented….for no reason should be given for unbelievers to scorn us deservedly and justly, on the grounds that we grieve for those who we say are living.” - Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, 251 A.D.

Watching, listening, and grieving alongside the Martin family taught me some things that I want to share with you:

1.  Never underestimate the value of spiritual preparedness; tomorrow is promised to no one.

2.  In key relationships, have no regrets. Say what you need to say; do what you need to do; fix what you need to fix.

3.  You have the power to change lives; change them for the better.

4.  Even in your darkest hour find something to be thankful for; it will strengthen your soul.

5.  Watch for motorcycles; and ignore your cell phone while you’re driving.

We’ll miss you, Blake.

I look forward to seeing you again. ~Kraig

Amos (part 4: Hope)

Posted: July 16, 2010 in Christ, Christianity, church, prophecy
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There was a remnant of true believers in Israel that faithfully served the Lord during the time of Amos’ prophecy. Sadly, this godly remnant would have to suffer desolation and alienation alongside the rebellious.

In spite of their circumstances, Amos assured them they are the object of God’s love and reminded them to remain faithful to the Lord: “But let [your] justice run down like waters and [your] righteousness as a mighty and ever-flowing stream” (5:24).

Though exile was imminent, the Lord encouraged the remnant with the hope of restoration to the Land of Promise (9:11-15). Unfortunately for them, that restoration would not take place until the fall of the Babylonian empire in 538 B.C. (184 years after Israel’s exile to Assyria).

In the meantime, their nation was destroyed, their friends and neighbors were brutally killed, their homes were burned, and the survivors (godly & ungodly alike) were hauled off into slavery in a foreign land.

For some of you it may seem inconceivable that the covenant people of God would have to suffer the consequences of God’s judgment alongside the rebellious majority, but that misconception is the result of wishful thinking, not biblical truth.

The Bible (both Old and New Testaments) makes it abundantly clear that the godly will suffer in this world; and history confirms this reality. Consider Jesus, the apostles, the early church fathers, and the countless martyrs and missionaries that have suffered for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christian suffering continues to this day in many nations around the world.

Friends, the Christian’s reward is heavenly and eternal — not earthly and temporal. God has not promised you easy living; he’s promised you eternal life.

It’s destination – not location — that separates the godly from the ungodly.

The Christian’s hope is built on the promise of eternal rewards in the kingdom of God, made possible by the blood of Jesus Christ. Everything between now and then is just filler.

The challenge for followers of Christ in a culture that has rejected God and His Word is to remain faithful to the Lord when hell breaks loose all around us.

I’m not saying it easy; I’m just saying it’s worth it.

Hebrews 10 (NLT):

32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

37 “For in just a little while,
the Coming One will come and not delay.
38 And my righteous ones will live by faith.
But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.