THE DEATH OF A GOOD MAN

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them” (Revelation 14:13).

As you know, we have been away this past week to attend the funeral of Wanda’s grandfather, J L Tomlin. It has been a bittersweet time as we have experienced the grief and loss, but at the same time rejoicing that he has completed his journey and awaits his eternal reward. He was a Christian for 55 years and was instrumental in starting a congregation in Woodstock, Georgia. This congregation numbers close to 300 and has been involved in starting two other congregations in the area. As I have thought about his death, I realize there are some differences and similarities between him and the rest of us.

The length of his life is one difference. He was 91 years old. A June 2006 USA Today article reported that life expectancy for American males was 75.2 years. The psalmist wrote that we could expect 70 or 80 years (Psalm 90:10). He did enjoy a long and useful life. There are some of us who are beyond the 75.2 (or about 80 for females), but most of us are still several years away. Many are not even half way there. For the young people, 75 years probably seems like an eternity. Will we “beat the odds” and live an unusually long life or die at a young age? We do not know.

One similarity is the certainty of death. “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Whether young or old, or somewhere in between, death is certain for each and every one of us. The only possible exception is that Christ returns during our lifetime and even then we will be changed and this life will end (1 Corinthians 15:50-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). From the moment we are born we begin a one way journey to death. Man has searched for the fountain of youth, a way to avoid aging, a way to cheat death. He has not found it and he never will.

Another similarity is the suddenness of death. “(W)hereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). Even though J L had lived many years and his time on earth was likely drawing short, no one (including himself) knew the exact time he would die. Even people with terminal diseases are not able to predict the exact moment of death. Because of the suddenness of death or Jesus’ return (Matthew 24:43; 2 Peter 3:10), we must live in a constant state of preparation and readiness (Matthew 25:13).

A final similarity is the consequence of death. The Hebrew writer says that after death is the judgment (9:27). There is no mention of anything in between that would give us a second chance. The condition in which we die, spiritually speaking, in the condition in which we will stand before God in judgment. Since we will be judged according to the things done in the body (2 Corinthians 5:10), and the body and spirit separate at death (James 2:26), our eternal destiny will be based on what we have done in this life, while in the body. There are two possibilities (Matthew 25:46). Whether I am blessed with eternal life in heaven or condemned to eternal torment in hell is determined by how I live this life, and the same is true for every person.

Are you prepared for death?
--Lamar

MOTHER

When a child is learning to talk, among the first words he/she speaks is “Mommy,” or something close to it. When a child is hurt, the first person they cry out for and look for is often Mom. What do you think of when you think of an NFL player? I think of men who are tough, somewhat mean and vicious. Yet, when the cameras show them after a big play or a win, what do you often see? They smile sweetly into the camera and say, “Hi, Mom.” It is clear that our mothers play an important role in our lives. I am not sure who first said, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world,” but it illustrates the importance of our mothers.

When did it become a bad thing in our society to be “just a mother?” In many circles, a stay at home mother is treated like a second class citizen. I read of one woman when asked what she did who said, “I am socializing two homo sapiens in the dominant values of the Judeo-Christian tradition in order that they might be instruments for the transformation of the social order into the teleologically prescribed utopia inherent in the eschaton.” How would you respond to that? I realize that sometimes it is necessary for thee wife/mother to work outside of the home to help provide for the family. However, I also know that it is a choice some families make in order to have better things. It is also true that a stay at home mom should never be made to feel like she has to apologize or that she is not as good as everyone else. I do not believe a greater thing could be said of any woman than “She is a good Christian wife and mother.”

In saying this, I am not saying those who work outside of the home are not good mothers. It takes dedication to work at a job and be a good wife and mother. With everything going on with the job, social life, church, and family, it is easy to spread yourself too thin. Be careful to keep your priorities in order.

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:2-3).

Happy Mothers Day!!!
--Lamar