“Precious in the sight of God are the death of His saints.”  (Psalm 116)

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”

 

In the passages above we are provided three (3) views of a single event. This single event is death. If Christ tarries everyone will pass through this event. In this article we will see how God views this event, the Christian view and the unsaved view of this event.

God views the death of the saved as precious. The Christian views this event with hope and the unsved as hopeless. In other passages we see the rightful Christ-ian view is sleeping and a departure. David, when his infant son passed from this life to the next,, David had every expectation to see him again. In fact, it was only after his son passed that David picked himself up off of the floor, where he lay prostrate before God, in prayer. His servants were confused. They wondered why he would rise up now after the passing of David’s son. David explained there was nothing to do now as he would see his son in Heaven. Reader, this is hope and the proper view of the departed of saints.

Paul considered his exit as being present with the Lord and as a drink offering being poured out. Peter viewed his exit as simply changing tabernacles. Stephen, the original Christ-ian martyr literally saw  Christ standing up to receive his saint.

However others should have seen death as a thing to be feared. Judas went to his own place, a place of perdition. The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Herodians, and many of the kings in both O.T. and N.T. as well as many that crossed the Holy path of God’s monogene or Image or Son. Many….most persons today should fear their end as they have, are, and will continue to follow their own way…the way that seems right unto them…the way that leads to their eternal torment, the broad way…..not the narrow way or the straight way, but the broad way that leadeth to death.

The elect, the redeemed, the ransomed, the saved view death with hope. The reprobate, the lost, the wicked should view death with the greatest of fear, but they pretend ignorance.

God views death as precious. Most read this as precious as in precious or very special as in, “isn’t the baby so precious, i could eat it all up.” But the word precious means, “rare.” Reader, the Christ-like dies….NOT. Paul would not have you to be ignorant of this truth and neither would any preacher that comes after him.

Christ said, His death was expedient for His own, “it is expedient for you that I go away.”  Go away, not die. We the Christ-like should view the death of another believer ashaving gone away, but not as gone away forever but for awhile.

I do know this is easier written than applied, especially when someoneso so close, goes away. I remember when my Grandpa, Dad’s side, went away, i shed not a tear….until four days later. When my Big Momma, G-ma on Mom’s side, who i loved and spent much much time with and share much with, went away, i cried not a tear to this day. Faith allowed tears in one (1) instance and not another. As an adult, i look back at my Grandparents theology, and know their is a Christ-ian bloodline. They both knew God and God knew them. Their theology is sound. If there were such a thing, my family would be a Christ-ian dynasty. The faith and gifts have been present in much of my family. All praise to God, the Great Elector of His Family in Christ Jesus.

The Christ-like dieth not. The Christ-like may ascend, may depart, may go away, may go to their reward, may go to be with Him, may pass on or over, may go to heaven, mayhave gone to walk the streets of gold,  BUT The Christ-like does NOT die, nor does s/he face death, kick the bucket, go to a better place, meet their maker (the Christ-ian has already met Him). Pushing up daisies, taking a dirt nap, etc. etc. etc.

By faith we trust in the passing of a loved one and find hope.  In the flesh, we still ache and feel the loss. That may be one of the only acceptable uses of the flesh….to feel loss…..yet we must remember to walk by faith, and thetein will be found hope and hope can stare down all things.

Godspeed.