I attended a funeral today and once again I am reminded of how short and vain life on earth is. We are not going be on this earth forever. An appointed day to die has been set. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there’s time for everything. A time to be born and a time to die (Ecclesiastes 3: 2 NLT).
Always live with the end in mind. Don’t live like you’re never going to die. That’s pure self-deception.
However, death is not even the issue if you ask me. My main concern is I don’t want to die a meaningless death after living a meaningless life. I don’t want to die with even a bit of potential left in me. I don’t want to die without fulfilling God’s purpose for my life. I also don’t want to spend eternity away from God. I don’t know about you by this drives me every day and keeps me going.
In 2 Timothy 4: 1 – 5, Apostle Paul urges Timothy and us too, to preach the word of God, live a worthy life, and live a life that brings glory to God. Life is too short to be lived nonchalantly #HadIknownisalwayslate. Ephesians 5: 15-16 says, “ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.” Make the most of the time you have. Step out and live in that dream and purpose that God has put in your heart. You ain’t got time to live pleasing people and caring what they are going to think. Darling, the race is individualized as much as it is collective. Be focused.
Apostle Paul continued in 2 Timothy 4: 6 – 8 (NLT), “As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”
Oh, what peace!
What peace it is to know that you die after being fully poured out to God. After emptying yourself before him and suffered for his name sake. I want to die while looking forward to that day of Jesus Christ. Knowing that death is just the beginning of a new and true life with God forever. Waitng to hear those words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” No more sufferings. No more pain, no more sorrow, and no more death.
This is why a death or funeral should be an eye opener to us all. Especially if you have been living life nonchalantly, living a purposeless life and living life without Christ. It is another opportunity to give your life to Christ and allow him into your heart. I love that death reminds us of the need and importance of life. When someone dies we remember to thank God for our lives. We suddenly want to hold on to this life. Unfortunately, we can’t live in this bodies forever. So, if we want eternal life, let’s run to JESUS.
“For it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” – Hebrews 9:27 (ESV).
Romans 14:10 & 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us that we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. However, as Christians and believers in Christ Jesus, we need not fear death or a condemnatory judgment on the day of Christ Jesus. It is a day of celebration, rejoicing and a day we will be awarded crowns for our works here on earth.
John 5: 24, “Truly I tell you, anyone, who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.“
Romans 8: 1 hammers it, “There’s no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.”
BUT outside of Jesus, there’s condemnation.
John 3: 17 -19 (CSB) “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.”
Eternal Life and a life with no condemnation is promised to those in Christ ONLY. This is why you must give your life to Jesus Christ. It’s time to stop procrastinating your salvation. The next second, minute, hour or day is not promised and the day of his return is not known. Don’t live life foolishly, accept Jesus Today. This invitation is free, you don’t need to do anything to earn His salvation. All you need to do is believe.
Romans 10: 9, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Please visit our INVITATION page today.
To the people who have lost a loved one, I pray that God comforts your hearts and souls. “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. “ – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT). He will never leave nor forsake you and your family. He is the father to the fatherless and a defender of the widow (Psalm 68: 5 -6). Reach out to your godly friends and family and find comfort in them too. Also, pray for the person you lost that they may rest in peace till we meet again on the day of Jesus Christ in our resurrected bodies to part no more.
Death is always going to hurt no matter how young or old the dead is. But HOPE in Christ keeps us going.
Therefore, I did not attend a funeral today, but a celebration. A celebration of LIFE (Eternal Life in Christ). Because that beautiful and loving woman lived a life dedicated to Christ and service unto him. May her soul rest in Christ’s perfect peace. Amen.
Eternally Loved ❤︎
Esther Ademiju
Growing God's Eternal Family 
God bless you for this message.
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God bless you too. Thanks for reading
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