“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, NIV)
Dying is a part of living.
Any religion, philosophy, or belief system that does not address this inevitable fact of life is not worth following.
As disciples of Jesus, we have God’s instruction about how to face death and dying: Not as those who have no hope. Our hope for what occurs after we die is based on what Jesus has already done. He has conquered death, hell, and the grave by His resurrection.
Therefore, believing that God is good to His word, we grieve only the temporary absence of those who have died, because the loss is not eternal. Take heart in this promise from our heavenly Father. – Luther
