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The Christian walk is undoubtedly one of many trials and tribulations. However, few of them can compare to the emotional turmoil and unforeseen chaos that results from the deaths of our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. Fortunately, applying the truths of Scripture during these difficult times can not only help us overcome them but also bring glory to God and provide a powerful witness to the unsaved.
One such truth from the Scriptures is that grieving is both natural and necessary. While some have argued that grieving over the loss of a fellow believer constitutes a lack of faith, such false teachings are heavily contradicted by the Scriptures. For example, in Acts 8:2, the early church believers deeply mourned following the stoning of Stephen. Such grieving was not an act of faithlessness, but one of genuine grief at the loss of a faithful brother whom they fellowshipped and co-labored in Christ with. Such grieving was not only commonly performed by believers, but also Jesus Himself. In John 11:33-35, Jesus joined Lazarus' sisters and friends in visibly expressing His deep sorrow for Lazarus' death. Thus, the Scriptures show that grieving for the loss of a fellow Christian is not only natural, but also right.
Another Biblical truth for these situations is that our grief should also be combined with hope and joy. When unbelievers face the death of loved ones, their ignorance of the afterlife and Christ's salvation causes their grief to be combined with bitter despair and immense hopelessness. Conversely, the Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 that our understanding of these things should fill us with hope and joy alongside our rightful grief. This is because we can be assured that our passing believers have entered heaven; have been freed of the pains, sorrows, and burdens of this life; and have finally come face to face with our perfect and loving Savior. Furthermore, we know that we will one day be reunited with those who have gone before us to not only experience the indescribable joys of heaven with them but also enjoy an eternal life together worshipping and serving the Lord in a new heaven and earth. Thus, the hope and joy that comes from knowing these truths will not only help us overcome these painful trials but will also produce an immensely powerful witness of the new life in Christ to the unsaved.
One other truth is that worshipping God during these difficult times strengthens both us and our witness. For example, when King David faced the death of his infant son in 2 Samuel 12:20, he immediately responded by worshipping the Lord despite his immense sorrow, which helped him overcome it with peace and thanksgiving. This is similarly seen in Job 1:20-21, where Job, despite the immeasurable pain of the loss of his ten children, maintained his faith and love for God through worshipping Him. From these two accounts, the critical importance of worshipping God during these times becomes clear, for it brings us His peace, makes our hearts thankful to Him, and strengthens our faith in and love for Him. Thus, by responding to these situations with worship to God, we not only help ourselves and others overcome these painful seasons but also further strengthen our witness to the unsaved.
Although the deaths of our fellow believers bring intense trials, the Lord has thankfully not left us unequipped for these situations. Studying the truths of Scripture reveal that while grieving during these times is both natural and right, they also reveal the critical importance of mixing our sorrow with joy, hope, and worship to Christ. By applying these truths during these difficult times, we not only help ourselves triumphantly overcome them and produce a powerful witness to the unsaved, but we also receive the faith, joy, and courage necessary to join the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, saying, "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
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