By Lea Lockhart
Let’s face it, saying goodbye to a loved is very difficult. The pain is real and I’m learning that it’s ok to be sad. I’m learning that grief is normal and tears are not a sign of weakness. Jesus was anything but weak, and he wept when Lazarus died even knowing that he would be raised from the dead. He wept tears of compassion with Lazarus’ loved ones.
Despite the tears and sadness that my family and I are experiencing, as our loved one nears the day that he will pass, my main concern has been where his soul will be when he makes the transition from this life into eternity.
God’s word is very clear that when we die, we will either go to heaven or to hell. Here in America most would say they would go to heaven, if asked. But will they? I do not know, as only God knows if a person has truly repented of their sins and trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of their sin. I do know that my loved one’s soul has been my constant thought. My desire is to know that he’s a born-again Christian, and I want him to have the peaceful assurance of his salvation, knowing that he will be with Jesus soon.
My loved one has been ill for a long time, so I’ve had a long time to pray for him and talk to him. During this time and other situations in the past I’ve been reminded of a few things and I have learned a few things.
At times, I can have a bold personality and when I was a baby Christian, in my arrogant attitude, I’d say things to myself like “well. I’ll just tell them the truth…” But did I? Well yes, at times I did. However, it was truth spoken but it greatly lacked love and kindness. In fact, I was rather harsh.
Years later, others have said to me, “Oh, you are always sharing the Gospel.” Am I, or was I? I’m definitely one to communicate, but I have to ask myself …really what was it that I’ve communicated? Was it the Gospel? What is it that I am evangelizing? Let me explain…
At one point, as I recall in years past, I found myself evangelizing my church, the loving and kind people who love the Lord…. Or, I’d evangelize a person or a pastor. The Gospel is definitely preached at Trinity Community Church, but this was not me sharing the Good news of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. Yes, please come to my church and you will hear the Gospel. But my prayer is for the Lord to help me share the Gospel rightly with others, the way He meant for us to share.
But my prayer is for the Lord to help me share the Gospel rightly with others, the way He meant for us to share.
Not only did I evangelize the church and the people, I evangelized books, gospel tracts and gospel centered movies. “Here, read this,” or, “here watch this.” It’s easy to stand behind these good things that have the gospel written or portrayed in them. It’s easy to allow these items to preach the gospel for me instead of doing what God has called me to do. True evangelism involves the use of spoken words. Jesus said for us to “go into all the world and proclaim (to announce officially) the Gospel”. Mk 16:15.
Recently, as I was thinking about my loved one’s terminal illness and the actual diagnoses, a thought crossed my mind “oh, if that were me, I would tell everyone about Jesus”! I would have no fear! Wait!! What?? My God revealed my heart in this fleeting thought. The truth is, we are all terminal. In Hebrews 9:27 it says “it is appointed for man to die once.” So, why would I not preach the gospel now? What’s going on?
Sadly, my diagnoses would be fear of man. Lord, I thank you for this conviction. Please help me; please help us all to grow in the area of proclaiming the Good news of Jesus Christ to others; proclaiming you O Lord to this dying and hopeless world, using words and doing so in love. Jesus, you are our only hope!
It is with great thankfulness to my God that my loved one has heard the Gospel rightly and is a born-again Christian. As hard as this time is, I rejoice in the mercy of God knowing that when he passes, he will be ushered into the presence of the Lord.
