But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
I know I've been talking a lot about death recently, but it is a very real and intense subject especially right now in our culture. COVID-19 and 2020 in general have the world thinking more and more about what comes next. Add to that my recent brush with thoughts on the subject and you can see my motivations. Death is scary. End of sentence. It is the place where our beliefs hit the pavement and all will be revealed. No matter what or where your faith lies, death brings with it that hint of apprehension, "Is God who I believe Him to be?".
For the longest time, the Roman Catholic Church was and I think still is 100% positive that our God is a vengeful God who says eating meat on Friday carries with it a sentence to Hell, that's a capital 'H' little 'e' double 'l'. If you are Muslim, then drinking alcohol has the same destination tied to it. Jewish? Then eating unclean meats like pig will drop you right down to the flaming gates. Meanwhile, I had a ham and pineapple pizza on Friday and washed it down with a rye and Pepsi Zero, what does that mean for me?
I do not know. My specific beliefs on the minutia of theology differ even from the church where I work. What I do know is that God loves each and every one of us and wants us to be safe and happy. So He puts rules in front of us to follow in order to keep us safe and happy. These rules still apply though the focus has changed from the 300+ rules of Leviticus to the simpler and easier to remember three Jesus set before us. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27 ESV)
These are pretty simple, pretty direct and easy to follow: Love God, Love Others, Love Yourself. So... basically love. And by doing these three things we become more like God. We live putting God first and the welfare of others before ourselves without neglecting our own health or needs. I bet you were not expecting a message about death to include love and self care huh? Remember to go and drink some water after you finish reading this, you need to hydrate.
This is all important because your faith, what you believe will help you weather any storm and the love of Jesus Christ is never changing, He will be with you every day and through every trial until you are standing with Him. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. " (Hebrews 13:8 ESV) If you hold true to what you believe even during the storm, unwavering, then when you do come to stand before God you can do so without apprehension, knowing you have loved as He loves you even to the end.
For the longest time, the Roman Catholic Church was and I think still is 100% positive that our God is a vengeful God who says eating meat on Friday carries with it a sentence to Hell, that's a capital 'H' little 'e' double 'l'. If you are Muslim, then drinking alcohol has the same destination tied to it. Jewish? Then eating unclean meats like pig will drop you right down to the flaming gates. Meanwhile, I had a ham and pineapple pizza on Friday and washed it down with a rye and Pepsi Zero, what does that mean for me?
I do not know. My specific beliefs on the minutia of theology differ even from the church where I work. What I do know is that God loves each and every one of us and wants us to be safe and happy. So He puts rules in front of us to follow in order to keep us safe and happy. These rules still apply though the focus has changed from the 300+ rules of Leviticus to the simpler and easier to remember three Jesus set before us. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27 ESV)
These are pretty simple, pretty direct and easy to follow: Love God, Love Others, Love Yourself. So... basically love. And by doing these three things we become more like God. We live putting God first and the welfare of others before ourselves without neglecting our own health or needs. I bet you were not expecting a message about death to include love and self care huh? Remember to go and drink some water after you finish reading this, you need to hydrate.
This is all important because your faith, what you believe will help you weather any storm and the love of Jesus Christ is never changing, He will be with you every day and through every trial until you are standing with Him. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. " (Hebrews 13:8 ESV) If you hold true to what you believe even during the storm, unwavering, then when you do come to stand before God you can do so without apprehension, knowing you have loved as He loves you even to the end.
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