"The gospel is harmed when we fail to deal seriously with death." -Craig Parton, (author of Religion on Trial.)

I just finished reading an Article in Modern Reformation Magazine: "Funerals from Hell: Where Have All the Graveyards Gone?"
The author deals with the way many evangelicals hold funerals in our age. How they try to keep the atmosphere one of lightness and happiness, instead of allowing for mourning and sorrow.
I thought I would share my thoughts on this as well, for what they are worth, which isn't much really.

First let's begin with a couple Bible verses.

The Apostle Paul wrote these inspired words from the Lord for us to consider:

"So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." II Cor. 5:6-8

" For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account." Phil. 1:21-24

To me Paul is saying there's a confidence we can have as Christians in dying. Of course, we may not want to die, but we instead have a passion to live here for the Lord. However, we must always understand if death were to come to our door, then we can be assured that when we do go through that door we will see our Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, the Lord over death and the grave.

Here's a few of my own heart's thoughts on death, the gospel, life, and funerals.

I hate death when it happens to children, or even young adults. God created us for life with Him, not death. And yet God cursed this earth because of sin, and sin brought death. Death is not natural, it happens because of sin (Romans 6:23).

The Gospel, which is simply the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin, and eternal life for all who trust Christ, is the truth that takes away the sting of death (I Cor. 15:55-57).

Because of this same Gospel, we who have come to experience the love of Christ through faith in the truth of the gospel have a great life to live here in this age. Jesus will be with us every second as we live for Him, and our neighbor, to the glory of our heavenly Father. Life is precious, because Jesus gave Himself on a cruel Cross for me.

Funerals, especially for young children, and for the younger loved ones who die, but also for anyone we love, even those who live way into their 90's, are a very sorrowful time, and an awkward time for me. I hate funerals when you really get down to it.

As I thought about death and funerals, I remembered, how a few years back, a 4 year beautiful boy in my church accidentally was strangled to death on a sliding board in his backyard. (I actually feel very sad even now writing this down.)
It was a dreadfully dark, and unbelievably heavy thing to be part of, and behold. I saw the parents in the hospital, after a whole day of this young lad being kept alive on a breathing device, be told from the doctor that Daniel is dead. I'll never forget his mother's cry. It was inexpressible. And then watching the father takes this boy in his arms, and lay him on a hospital bed, motionless. It was to me the most tragic event I have seen in my life up to now. I don't know what I would do if one of my grandsons died like this, or in any manner. I don't even want to think about that.

I also remember my Dad's funeral. He was 86, and had a long and prosperous life, and yet he, in my thinking, was not a believer in the Gospel, but a religious man; a Catholic man. Could he be with the Lord? Yes, it is possible. But my last impression was that he rejected the gospel of grace for the gospel of "being as moral as you can, and get a priest to bless you into heaven". I hope I am wrong.

I also remember my father-in-law's funeral. He was a hard man for the most part. Although he did believe in the Lord, I don't think he ever came to trusting Christ alone faith, though he may have. I was able to share the "Romans Road" with him a while back while he was in the Johns Hopkins Hospital with a heart attack and stroke. He acknowledged he believed these truths of the Bible. But, there was not much fruit to be honest.
At his funeral, which took place at St. Mark's Catholic Church, the priest spoke of how faithful and good my father-in-law was. He called him by his name, Louis, and told of how good he was in so many ways. This priest was absolutely out of line. But, everyone was okay with what he said. I challenged what he said with my in-laws, though I loved my father-in-law, I felt like the truth of his life needs to addressed, or if not, then say nothing. Just don't make up stuff about people for the sake of making his friends and family feel good at funerals. I believe you can be honoring and truthful without making superficial remarks.

Well that's about all I have in me today. Now I'm off to watch some football.

Have a blessed 2010!

"....and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."