The Life after this Life

The American trumpeter, Louis Armstrong blessed the world with the song, 'What a Wonderful World.' His song made one appreciate the wonder of creation even when things did not always seem wonderful; the beauty, joy and happiness that people shared, by not just reflecting on life as it is, but the life to come.

Many when greeted with 'Good Morning' a common greeting in most cultures retort, 'What is so good about it?' They fail to understand that there is more to life than the eye can see. Faith calls for a life of hope even in the midst of hopelessness, when viewed from God's perspective.

It calls for wisdom and understanding that God did not create humans for eternity on earth, but to join Him after this life in Heaven.

At the grave of Lazarus, as friends and family mourned, Jesus reminded them of the truth why He came into the world. Addressing Martha, one of Lazarus' sisters, He said to her, "I am the resurrection and the Life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after dying." [John 11:25, NLT.]

What a promise to hold on to as we face death everyday. It is good to know that there is hope when the present life comes to an end. And if there is life after this life, our here and now has a purpose. The main purpose of our current existence is to focus on the purpose of being here which is to prepare for the next stage of life which will be in heaven. To make it across, we have to know what the word of God says about us, our world, the obstacles that could prevent our crossing over to inherit the eternal life, and as the Bible warns not to be ignorant of the devices of the Enemy which is to prevent us from having eternal life in Heaven.

After Jesus' encouraging words to Martha, He called Lazarus who had been dead and buried for four days to come out of the grave. Lazarus walked out to the amazement of the people, as prove of the power of God through Jesus as Giver and Creator of life.

#Celebration not mourning

The going home of a believer was always a time of celebration as they passed from this life into the next to await the final resurrection and Judgement--Revelation 20:11-15. Going home is not filled with fear and anxiety because we know the wonderful life that awaits us.

When life has presented challenges and one has trusted in the LORD despite the battles the enemy sends to frustrate and cause us to stray from God, going home is always with great hope. That is why we are warned not to put too much hope in the things of this world and its system that soon pass away. But to trust in God and seek His will for us for His kingdom endures forever.

David in Psalm 32:1, says, "Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!"

The peace and joy that reside in the believer by the power of the Holy Spirit after their sins has been forgiven fires them to look with hope and joy to that which is to come. After being born again, there is a life we experience which those not saved have no clue; the supernatural life that Jesus promised; a hopeful life even in the face of death, suffering and pain. We know that when we close our eyes, it will not be the end, but into the arms of the One who is Love, waiting to welcome, comfort and wipe our tears forever.

#Hope in death, the life after

I remember when my grandfather's went home. Their request before they left was that no one should wear black to mourn or weep hopelessly for them. As the crowd gathered on what was their send-off, it was party atmosphere as people remembered the lives they touched by their lifestyles in Christ.

For everyone who believes that Jesus; died and rose from the grave to give them a new life, their last days on earth before Jesus returns or they leave to be with Him in Heaven is one that should fill them with hope.

As the old church gospel song goes, this world is not our home, we are just passing through. Never hold too tightly to anything so that when the time to let go comes, you will not be afraid to let go, and like Lot's wife look back and lose the joy of going home--Genesis 19:26.

Therefore, do not mourn like those without hope, Paul said to believers in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. For those who sleep in the LORD will be raised in the last day.

What we must do is ensure we have life in Christ, because "...we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died."

#What should we do?

Two things should inform how we live. First, those of us still alive, should focus on God's will for us, by believing in Jesus the Christ. Secondly, we must not be overcome with the desire to grieve like those without hope, be bitter and angry living always in the past because of those no longer with us, but to move forward and remember that when we encourage one another to live as God desires, we will meet our loved ones again.

The risk of not trusting in God, allowing pressures of life and the deception in the world divert our attention from God to idols and false gospel, the consequences of unbelief, we are left without hope.