Because of Christ, We Can Grieve With Hope

"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)

It's natural for people to grieve when their loved ones die; however, there's a difference between how Christians grieve (with hope) and how non-Christians grieve (without hope). Paul wanted the believers in Thessalonica to know and understand what would happen to Christ's followers who already died (and who will die in the future before Christ's return) so that the believers could grieve with hope of resurrection. These believers were excitedly looking forward to Christ's return (expecting it to happen in their lifetime) and were concerned that their fellow believers who died would miss the Rapture. Paul assured them that those who knew Christ (as their Lord and Savior) and died would be brought back to life when Jesus returns.

The Greek word for "Sleep"/"Asleep" is koimao which is the root word for koimeterion (cemetery in English). The koimeterion (cemetery) literally means "a sleeping place, a place to lie down to sleep". Death for Christ's followers is merely being asleep. The sleep applies only to the body; the soul and spirit are with the Lord immediately after death. "After death the redeemed go consciously into the presence of the Lord, while the unsaved go into conscious punishment." (John MacArthur)

The hope we have in Christ is a blessed assurance/the absolute certainty of future good. Biblical hope is not an abstract concept but is embodied in the Person of Jesus Christ our Hope. Our confident, living hope of eternal life with God in Heaven is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.

We, Christ's followers, have this anchoring hope because we believe (trust, accept as true) that Jesus Christ died to make atonement for our sin, that He rose again (demonstrating His victory over sin and death and guaranteeing our bodily resurrection), and that He will bring with Him the believers who have died. Christ's death was the death of death and changed death to sleep (temporarily while awaiting the Rapture and bodily resurrection). Die we must but rise we shall (to everlasting life)!

"He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (2 Timothy 1:9-10)

No longer must the mourners weep
And call departed Christians dead;
For death is hallowed into sleep,
And every grave becomes a bed.

Now once more, Eden's door
Open stands to mortal eyes!
Now at last, old things past,
Christ is risen! We too shall rise.
(J. Sidlow Baxter)

Prayer: Thank You, Abba Father, for the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus! May You grant strength, comfort, and healing to my brothers and sisters in Christ who are grieving and help them to grieve with hope! You know I don't do well with grieving. Please keep reminding me that death is but a temporary separation for those in Christ and that someday all who trust in Christ will be reunited and part no more. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.