Philippians 1:20-24, New Living Translation
And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
At the many different stages of life, there is a common list of topics or issues that occupy our thoughts. For a young person entering into high school, it is making new friends, fitting in with the crowd, extra-curricular actives or making the team; getting a date for the prom, drivers education class and getting their driver’s license; passing the ACT or SAT tests to get into the university of their choosing. After graduation a young person’s thoughts normally focuses on purchasing their first car, getting a job, starting classes in the university in the upcoming semester. Sometime after this period of their life, marriage, graduating from the university and starting their profession is usually what occupies their thoughts. As a few more years go by, starting a family, purchasing their first house and a larger vehicle to accommodate the new additions to the family is their usual focus. After a few decades or more pass one topic that usually occupies their thoughts is making sure that there be adequate funds for retirement when that time arrives. Finally in retirement and as one gets older, one main focus among many is maintaining their health to be able to enjoy the last years they have left to live.
Matthew 22:37-38
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
However, for those who are in the last years of their life I have noticed one topic of thought or desire that is common among many who have lived for many decades in an intimate relationship with their Savior and Lord Christ Jesus, faithfully fulfilling “the first and greatest commandment.”. It is the longing to leave this world and go to heaven to be in the presence of Jesus and be with their love ones who have already died before them. This strong conviction or desire they have is because they know what the Bible teaches us of what is required to get to heaven and what to expect when we do.
Matthew 5:12
“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…”,
Is it wrong for a faithful believer in Christ to pray for God to take them home? Or in other words, is it wrong for a Christian to pray for their death in order to go to heaven? One of the many points that should be understood which will help to answer this common question and this desire that some elderly Christians have is, why are they feeling and praying this way? Do they feel useless, unwanted, ignored and alone? Are there physical reasons such as chronic illness and or immobility issues which is causing them to feel this way? Are there financial reasons or the loss of independence and the need to live with someone and not wanting to be a burden on love ones? It is always important to realize that there can be many more reasons than the ones previously stated for the desire of elderly believers in Christ asking God to take them home.
Trying to address Biblically each of the few reasons previously stated is difficult and can be too exhaustive of a task to thoroughly state in this short message. However, we can address a few that can help us understand the common desire of many elderly Christians wanting to leave this life and go home to heaven.
Paul writing to his spiritual son Timothy who was sent to the church in the city in Ephesus, to shepherd the congregation there gives Timothy these instructions, “Command and teach these things.” 1 Timothy 4:11 concerning elderly widows.
1 Timothy 5:3-4, 3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
Paul emphasizes the point made in the previous verses “7 Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:7-8.
The lack of love expressed by our actions to our parents or even our grandparents should never be the reason why they would want their life to end and go to heaven.
Another possible reason for an elderly Christian wanting to go home is the lack of respect and honor as the Bible teaches us in Ephesians 6:2-3. 2 “Honor your father and mother” which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” What does honoring our parents or even grandparents look like? One way is similar to what 1 Timothy 5:3-8 tells us is; To “honor” our parents…means to show them respect and love, to care for them as long as they need us, and to seek to bring honor to them by the way we live.”
At a funeral, how many times have heard love ones of a deceased Christian honor that person by acknowledging in front of those present by stating how important and influential that person was in the spiritual life of the one speaking and even to others. Most of the time they will mention how they were loved and blessed by the deceased in the way experienced the love of Christ in that person. They will usually tell a story about how they themselves were treated by the departed Christian. This is the appropriate time and important way to honor the deceased Christian. However, does the elderly Christian who is not yet in the presence with the Lord in heaven, ever hear these words from their family while they are still living?
“But encourage one another daily,
as long as it is called Today”
Hebrews 3:13
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,
just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
How are we letting the elderly Christian know and or realize that they still have and are fulfilling God’s purpose for them to continue living on this earth? One of the many ways comes from understanding our identity in Christ, because it is with this understanding we have from God’s Word about who we are in Christ, it will be from that understanding of that truth we will see that elderly Christian and help them to realize their identity and purpose of God in their lives. The value of what we Christians believe about ourselves is not from what we do but it is from what God’s word tells us who we are in Christ Jesus – our identity.
In today’s society with its ever-decreasing understanding of the value that God places on life which is taught in His Word, Christians must never forget that it is always up to God who makes the final decision when we go home and how we go home to be with Him in heaven. However, until this happens every Christian whether or young or old, must always realize and live each day seeking to fulfill God’s purpose in their lives. And we are to help our elderly brothers and sisters do the same which is to live as the apostle Paul said, “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ.” Philippians 1:21
Pastor John
THE MEANING OF PHYSICAL DEATH FOR BELIEVERS – Fire Bible
Though Christ’s followers have the assurance of resurrection life (Jn 11:25-26), they may still go through the experience of physical death. But those who have entrusted their lives to Christ approach death differently than those who have not received him. The following are some truths the Bible reveals about the death of one who knows and follows God.
(1) Death for the Christian is not the end of life, but a new beginning. Rather than something to be feared (1Co 15:55-57), death is the point of transition to a fuller, more complete life. Death releases Christians from the troubles of this world (2Co 4:17) and from an earthly body in order to be “clothed” with heavenly life and glory (2Co 5:1-5). Physical death means going to be with others who believed and who have already died. Physical death is a door into the presence of the living God (Php 1:23).
(2) The Bible also speaks of the death of believers in comforting terms. The death of the godly is “precious in the sight of the Lord” (Ps 116:15). It is an entrance “into peace” (Isa 57:1-2) and “into glory” (Ps 73:24); a going to “paradise” (Lk 23:43); a going to our Father’s house, where there are “many rooms” (Jn 14:2); an anticipated departure in order to “be with Christ” (Php 1:23); a being “at home with the Lord” (2Co 5:8); a falling “asleep in Christ” (1Co 15:18; cf. Jn 11:11; 1Th 4:13); a “gain … which is better by far” (Php 1:21, 23); and a time to receive the “crown of righteousness”.
(3) Concerning the time between a Christian’s death and his or her bodily resurrection, the Bible teaches the following:
(a) At the time of death, Christ’s followers are immediately “at home with the Lord” (2Co 5:8; Php 1:23).
(b) Believers exist in full consciousness (Lk 16:19-31) and experience joy because of God’s kindness and love (cf. Eph 2:7).
(c) Heaven is like a godly home–a place of rest and security (Rev 6:11) and a place of community and companionship with other believers.
(d) Activities in heaven will include worship, celebration and singing (Ps 87; Rev 14:2-3; 15:3), assigned tasks (Lk 19:17) and eating and drinking (Lk 14:15; 22:14-18; Rev 22:2).
(e) While awaiting the bodily resurrection, God’s people are not invisible spirits without bodies; but they have a temporary heavenly form (Lk 9:30-32; 2Co 5:1-4).
(f) In heaven, believers continue to have their personal identity (Mt 8:11; Lk 9:30-32).
(g) God’s people who have passed from their earthly lives will continue to look to God, waiting still for him to completely fulfill his purposes on earth (Rev 6:9-11).
(4) Even though God’s people can look toward and look past death with great hope and joy, they still grieve when people die, mainly when loved ones die.
