10/26/18 HARSH REALITY
The realization that conversion is essential for eternal life makes folks realize they have loved ones who won't be in heaven.
THIS IS HARD
When a person realizes that those without Christ are excluded from heaven, it can make them angry with God or with the message of salvation.
We all have loved ones that were not saved when they died. We all have loved ones who are not saved now, and the likelihood of them getting saved is not encouraging.
Salvation requires major changes, but the thought of eternally losing a loved one can be too much for a person to handle. A lot of emotion, as well as misinformation and cultural baggage must be addressed.
God loved our loved one more than we loved them and God had a greater interest in them getting saved than we do. As much as we love our lost loved ones, the fact is that God loved them so much that He gave His Son to die for them, and offer them eternal life. And God did this, knowing what their choice would be. That is infinite love.
God is not willing that any should perish, so we can rest assured that the lost loved one had every opportunity to trust in Christ. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, therefore we know that God did not shut them out, either lightly or arbitrarily. If they never trusted Christ, it was because they chose not to trust Him.
The fact is, we almost never know what is in a person's mind during their last moments. When I don't know, I choose to accept that God is merciful rather than vindictive. God is also just. He does all things well. We can trust God to do the right thing, the loving thing, the merciful thing, the just thing.
If a person takes a negative attitude toward God or salvation because they resent the idea that a loved one might be lost forever, then they compound their own problem. I have heard people say that they wanted to god to hell to be with friends or loved ones. Well, actually, there will not be any love or friendship in hell and no one brings anyone else any comfort. In fact, I think it is probable that the presence of others in hell may even add to the personal torment they suffer. How terrible would it be to hear or see people in hell. Missing heaven brings nobody any comfort.
Resisting or rejecting salvation does not help others who have, or will, die without Christ. In fact, it will make it less likely that other loved ones will get saved. One of the major ways God rescues people is through the ministry of those who have been saved.
It may be hard to understand, but in eternity, God will deliver us from all pain, including the loss of loved ones.
It is hard to deal with lost loved ones being cut off from God forever. But the only way we can be of any help or comfort to them is by getting saved and then praying for them and witnessing to them.
THE MAIN REASONS TO GET SAVED
I tried to offer some words of encouragement to those who have loved ones who died, without the likelihood of having gotten saved. Although I believe there is validity to theses arguments, the fact is that we ought to get saved,
BECAUSE WE ARE LOST AND BOUND FOR ETERNAL SUFFERING,
and
BECAUSE GOD HAS PROVIDED SALVATION FOR US THROUGH THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF HIS SON.
We need to be saved, in order to live a life that is pleasing to God, and in order to go to heaven, and escape torment forever.
We need to get saved because God has provided the miraculous way for us to be transformed into His children, new creations.
