Dealing With Death
Each
of us has, at one time or
another, dealt with death of a family member, friend, relative or other
loved ones. Each of us has dealt with such death in a manner that we
had been taught. Some border on being hysterical, disbelieving or
refusing to deal with it at all and withdrawing.
This must not be the way we deal with death or near death of anyone. If you read and study the Bible God has given us the answers we need to face our own deaths with no fear and, if we are true Christians, we can assist others at the time of their own deaths. We have a duty to remain strong and to be the examples to others, especially family members of the dying, and to be prepared to tell them of what awaits them or , in the case of a dearly beloved, that person’s demise.
This must not be the way we deal with death or near death of anyone. If you read and study the Bible God has given us the answers we need to face our own deaths with no fear and, if we are true Christians, we can assist others at the time of their own deaths. We have a duty to remain strong and to be the examples to others, especially family members of the dying, and to be prepared to tell them of what awaits them or , in the case of a dearly beloved, that person’s demise.
Our
initial calling is to tell of God’s
everlasting love that allows all who come to Him to gain entry to
heaven. He sent His Son as our Redeemer so that we might be saved.
John 3:16-17 “
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone
that believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. God did
not send His Son to the world to condemn it, but to save it.”
In
my dealing with the elderly and dying I have been asked, “I have waited
so long
and done
so many things for which I am not proud, how can I expect to gain God’s
love at this time?” To this question I have answered by reading John
3:16-17, then Matthew 20: 1-16 (Story of the Vineyard Workers) and
discussed the meanings of the parable set forth. Matthew teaches that no
matter what time of our lives we come to God, it is never too late!
No
matter the age of the person, no matter the sex of that person, and no
matter that person’s thoughts of religion, if that person truly accepts
God and His Son, Jesus Christ, then he/she, through belief and
confession is entitled to belong among God’s saved!
Romans 10:9-10 For
if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your
heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by
believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by
confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
All
too many have doubts as to their having been forgiven the sins
committed throughout their lifetimes. To them they have no chance to
prove their contriteness other than expressing sorrow for the error of
their ways. The expression of true sorrow is
their reflection of having repented of their
transgressions and it is by that belief in God and in Jesus Christ that
they are saved.
Care
should be taken to tell the person that if he/she is holding a grudge
or blaming anyone for any problems in and of their lifetimes, they have a
duty to forgive that person or persons who sinned against them. Life is not to blame anyone for anything but to forgive all for their humanity.
Matthew
6:14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.”
My
dad, a lifelong Catholic, had a rugged and tough life. He was a
Merchant Marine during World War 11, a police officer, a security
agent/body guard for a celebrity. He had doubts as to God having
forgiven him for all of the many misdeeds of his life. I spent many
hours with him and reading God’s Word to him so as to comfort him. It
was only after I
read Hebrews 8:12 to him that he showed signs of realizing God had
truly forgiven his sins. God not only forgave him but purposely forgot
his transgressions.
Hebrews 8:12 “And I will forgive their wrongdoings and I will never again remember their sins.”
Who
can argue with these words of God? Not only will I not argue with these
words that I see as proof of God’s love but I will gladly teach them to
any that will listen.
Each
of us must realize that our time on this earth is limited and is but a
time we must spend learning to realize that this is but a beginning of
what God has in store for us. By realizing that He is indeed God and has
done all He has to ‘open our eyes’ to Him; we are able to be saved. All
earthly sorrows, and pain and suffering will disappear and a true life
with God will be our heavenly reward.
Recently
I was privileged to receive prayer requests for a man who was suffering
the ravages of brain cancer. That man’s wife was the author of the
basic prayer request while at the same time giving comfort to their
young daughter. Although the cancer was relentless resulting in earthly
death, the man and his wife never doubted God’s purpose in their lives.
It was most heartening to read the many letters she wrote respecting
events in her husband’s and her lives while giving praise to God for the
good things received in their lives and for the life to come for her
husband. Not one word of doubt of God, no words of condemnation for pain
suffered and many words of love of God, her husband and their little
girl. I wish that each of you have the strength and love to be God’s
messengers such times in your own lives.
I
would like to say that I have found Psalm 23 to be most comforting to
those who are facing imminent earthly death. Perhaps if you read, and
study, that Scripture an understanding of the comfort God has spoken of
in the Word will allow you the strength to assist another.
I
was raised as a Catholic and recall one particular teaching of that
faith that I hold to be of interest. When a person has taken his/her
last breath his/her last sense that remains is hearing. I do not know
that this is true but if faced with the immediate demise of a
person I would see no harm in getting close to
that person’s ear and quietly saying, “Go to the Light as it is our God
and Savior calling you. Rejoice and believe…believe and have faith in
God.”
I had the privilege to sit at my best friend's bedside as he lay in a coma. A racing mishap has injured him. I talked as if he were awake and listening. My words were to assure him of the safety of his children and their well being. I talked to him about
going to the Light if he knew his condition would prevent him from
leading the life he desired. Long story cut short...He died that night.
Today,as I recall that moment in time, I know, with no doubt, that the Holy Spirit was with me and leading me to voice those words. For His guidance I am forever grateful.
(Closing prayer)
O
Father, Almighty God, hear our prayer. Father we praise You and exalt
You as You alone are most High and worthy of our worship. You are our
God and there is no other.
Father,
we are often faced with the death of loved one, family members, friends
and relatives. Often we are able to speak with them as they are near
their last moments on this earth and we tell them of You, Your Son,
Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit. It is our wish to see them in Paradise
and in Your presence. You know that we are weak and that You are our
source of strength. Heavenly Father in times such as we are called upon
to witness to those who are close to their earthly death, please keep us
strong and allow us to be Christian in our ways as we seek to bring
comfort and Christianity to them and any that would listen to us. Our
sole desire is to bring any that will believe to You and to salvation.
Please be with us in our efforts to serve You.
Lord,
as Jahweh Sabaoth, please send Your angels to accompany the souls of
Your people to Paradise. Also we ask that You have them protect our
military, our allies, Your Christian children throughout the world and
upon their time of death bring them home to You. Protect our elected
officials and guide them to lead us in a proper manner and awaken them
to the needs of their constituents.
Lord,
please bless us in such and abundance so as to allow us sufficient
blessings to pass to others. We do not ask this of You lightly and know
that You are there for
us.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Who is One with You and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever,
--
Pastor Lee S Gliddon Jr
God's Word Christian Ministry
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