Not As Others

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.

I Thessalonians 4:13

From time to time we have to bid farewell to a loved one whom we will see no more in this scene of time.  Because we love them deeply, there is heart pain in that parting.  We have known them, perhaps for the greater portion of our lives.  They have been near and dear to us.  Our theology is sound.  We know that they sleep in Jesus.  We know that they will be absent from the body and present with the Lord.  For us who remain behind this is a very painful parting.  We find it hard to let go.  We sorrow, and that sorrow is appropriate.  Yet even though sorrow is part of life, while we pass through this vale of tears, we, who rest by faith in Christ, do not sorrow as those who have no hope.  The context of the text before us is a discussion of the return of Christ.  It tells us that, ‘the dead in Christ shall rise first.’  It goes on to say that, ‘we who are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.’  This is our hope, which rests upon Christ.  Christ has organized for us a grand reunion.  We will see our dear departed on that day.  We will gather with them around the Throne of Grace, and never more part.  Therefore, at the graveside, we sorrow not as others who have no hope.

Our Good and Loving God,
we praise You that we have hope in Christ.
We rejoice that because He lives, 
we shall live also.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning