We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. – 1 Thessalonians 4:13
Many today view death as “the end of everything,” which is a convenient construct for people to avoid being accountable for their actions. Those who refuse to believe in God or choose the less dramatic shoulder shrug of agnosticism both mistakenly assume they may relieve themselves from eternal responsibility for their choices. However, the Bible claims God desires to make Himself known and provides enough information for every person to make His acquaintance. “For His invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
While knowledge of God does awaken a person to the responsibility for their actions, it also provides a beautiful hope. Jesus experienced the separation of His soul and body, so God understands the reality of death personally. The good news is that Christ overcame the spiritual destruction of death and, for all who will trust Him, death becomes merely “transportation” – a way to get from here to there. For God’s people, there is comfort in knowing death no longer means separation. In Christ, it means the beginning of eternal life in God’s Kingdom. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Intercede for U.S. officials as they engage in discussions surrounding agreements to end global conflicts. Pray for those losing loved ones in the wars raging around the world. Ask that faithful messengers will bring the message of Christ into their lives, and many will accept His comfort, and experience firsthand the hope in Him.
Today’s Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:13
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Isaiah 25:8-12
He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,
and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
9 It will be said on that day,
“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.
This is the Lord; we have waited for him;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
10 For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain,
and Moab shall be trampled down in his place,
as straw is trampled down in a dunghill.
11 And he will spread out his hands in the midst of it
as a swimmer spreads his hands out to swim,
but the Lord will lay low his pompous pride together with the skill of his hands.
12 And the high fortifications of his walls he will bring down,
lay low, and cast to the ground, to the dust.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
