The ones promoted to spiritual presence with God shed no more tears, and they feel no sorrow because they are present with the one who spoke all that we see into existence. As we know our loved ones are with God, we should celebrate their life and legacy. The best way to honor the memory of a deceased love one is to pass their influence along to someone who needs it.
1 Corinthians 15 - declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
Our Eternal Spirit
We are eternal beings. When a person passes away from this side of existence at 90 years old we say that they lived a long time, which is true for our side of existence. Those of us on this side of life mourn for the deceased because we miss them, and it is well with us to mourn because closure is needed in the haze of loss and shock. I think the modern world forces people out of mourning far too early, but as we mourn, we should realize that those who served and believed in Jesus are in fact, undoubtedly, home ! 90 years compared to eternity isn't very much, and 20,000 years compared to eternity isn't much either.
When someone young and close to us passes on, we are totally jolted and shocked and we mourn all the more, but we must remember, we are eternal beings. This is why we must try to tell people about Jesus...so when you get cut off in the conversation and they start to argue, that's a sure sign that the seed is where it needs to be!
Honoring Jesus Through The Legacy of The Deceased
Honoring the memory and celebrating the life of the deceased is the best thing to do because those present with the father are celebrating too! The sting of death was defeated by Jesus, but this sting of temporarily loosing our loved one is felt by us, here on this side of life. We are left with a heavy heart and sorrow, and we will miss those who have passed on. On this side of existence, the breech of physical connection is seemingly irreparable, but our happy memories and the hope of seeing our loved ones beyond the grave is a balm that soothes the sting.
We celebrate the loved one's life, and who they were. The influence of the deceased can be carried on by us on this side of existence, thus their influence has potential to never die through the generations. Through you, the legacy of the deceased one's life can touch the lives of others. Sharing the wisdom of a deceased loved one can be the axis of change leading to spiritual healing for those who really need it the most.
Yes, the God kissed blessings of our deceased brothers and sisters live forever! No human, nor any evil principality can take away the Godly spiritual connection of our passed on beloved and how they touched our lives, that connection lives forever!
Around five years ago my 35 year old cousin passed away due to his airway being compromised after seizure when he was alone at home. Asphyxiation took his life on this side of life because no one was there to reposition him so that he could breathe. Wes was the closest person that I had to an actual brother. He was my cousin, best friend, and brother. I miss him very much, but with me is that spiritual connection that is never lost. I remember the good times and the crazy things we did. Every weekend I remember dogging him to get fuel, but alas, more times than not, we would end up on the side of the road. I was angry then, but now I remember...and I laugh about my refusal to walk with him. I remember him telling me that I was the best friend he had, and he always claimed me as his brother. I miss Wes, but I think he is with God, and he is home.
All Bible references were NIV 1984
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