Christianity Oasis Forum

[Guest]

I am new to this site..stumbled upon it,(or more likely lead to it).


My dad has been saved, but like many dosen't lead a Christian life. He recently lost both of his parents within 3 months apart. It was very sad, but am proud to say that they were saved which is the most important part. When they passed, my dad started researching the internet,(instead of the Bible itself), and visited "Christian" websites to find out what happened to people when they died. The reason I put quotes around Christian is because I read some of the sites myself and found them to be misconstruing the Word to get it to mean what they want it to. All that my dad got from this sites is that the dead know nothing and that they are sleeping until Christ returns. So I think he believes that they are just unaware of anything until the Resurrection. I told him that God created man from dust (body) and breathed life into him (spirit). When you die the body and spirit return to their creators, (the body to dust and the spirit to God). All he does is keep saying that in the Bible; the dead know nothing, they are asleep.

I guess my question is... was I right in what I told him and if you could give me any advice to comfort my dad in letting him know that both of his parents are in Heaven with our Creator.

Thanks for any advice and as always GOD BLESS!!!

[mlg]

Hi kchenson, welcome to the Oasis. I want to offer you some studies that I believe might help your dad.

This study...is for those who have lost a loved one due to death:
http://www.christianityoasis.com/Keyword/LostLove.htm

This study looks into the peace that is obtained when one dies in Christ:
http://www.christianityoasis.com/Keywor ... nPeace.htm

I hope these help.

Come visit us in the chatroom sometime.

Take care and God Bless

[morningrain]

Welcome to Christianity Oasis kchenson.

It's good that your dad is searching for answers, but this is where it can get a bit sticky for a new believer. The enemy tries throwing every wind of doctrine at a person. So first thing I'd say to you is, keep your dad in Prayer, asking the Lord that by His Spirit lead your dad into seeking Christ, and asking that His truths be known and not mans.

The verse that comes to mind is for you to share with your dad on this matter is, 2Cor. 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

So to be absent from the body is to be present with Christ. Where as the body is asleep, their spirit is with the Lord, very much awake and alive. A body that is asleep in Christ is not a dead, only asleep.

It's amazing isn't it, that we have been dead in sin and now are made alive in Christ. Christ took our sins to the cross, In Christ we are forgiven and in Christ we are resurrected unto life forever more, for Christ is our resurrection. And our loved ones that are in Christ and now have passed away, are presently with the Lord in Spirit, in His presence daily. When my dad passed away it was sad to see and feel, but yet there was that joy within knowing he was now presently with the Lord very much alive.

Hope this helps, Lord bless you kchenson, keep this matter in prayer and let the Holy Spirit lead you.

Praying with you.

[deetu]

hi kchenson, nice to meet you.

I am going to go about this question a different way. When I was first saved, I didn't read the Bible... didn't understand it but then my sister gave me a teaching Bible that had notes in the margin, a concordence, and extra notes. It was also NIV that wasn't written in King James. That made it easier for me to understand. Also being filled with the Holy Spirit helped because we cannot understand until he is with us, helping us.

Could be your Dad went to those sites because he couldn't understand what he was reading himself.
Father's Day is coming. Maybe you can get him his own Bible for a present
Go to a Christian bookstore. Ask God which one he would like and understand. I know there is even a man's bible out there. And then offer to help him or share Scripture with him.
Inviting him to join here and read the studies may be good too.

[Guest]

Thank you guys so much in your fast responses. I will definitely take your advice and pray as to how to approach my dad in this delicate matter.

May God's Blessings be upon you!

[Guest]

I think that a lot of times with death as even when "to die or death" is mentioned in scriptures, we in the flesh have a hard time separating the fleshly death from a spiritually death. I think there are some hidden things of what exactly happens at death, not because God wants them hidden, but rather we look at scriptures with physical eyes instead of our spiritual eyes. With your Father not having a close fellowship with Christ, he may be a little blinded, and even suggesting to study the Word may not help until he restores that fellowship with The Spirit. I think the best thing you could offer Him is the Promise That Jesus will Never leave nor for sake, those that trust in Him , psalms 23 says that even in the valley of shadow of death God is with Us. I suggest that you share these scriptures with your father,

Luke 23:42-43
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
KJV

Here Jesus promised the dying man that he would be with Him in paradise, now I am sure that this man's physical body was placed in the tomb, and chances are it is still there, But Jesus promised Him that the man would be with Him in paradise, TODAY. Then I think we can safely say that Paul was confirming that "to be absent from the Body is to be present with the Lord", But I am sure you are aware of this, but I would also let your father know that the main thing is not where his parents are with Christ, but that the main thing should be where he is at with Christ!

[Mackenaw]

Hello Kchenson

God bless you this day.

I'm sorry I'm so late in responding to your post, but I do want to share this with you.

I often think of the following verse when I think of my dad who passed on in August of 1995. He loved The Lord so very much, and I know he is cheering us all on.

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Also, there is a story in the book of Luke that I would apply to your questions. Luke 16:19-31.

Those that have passed on as believers in our Blessed Saviour Jesus, they rest comfortably now, in Abraham's bosom, and I feel they are aware.

I hope this helps you in your seeking to find answers for you and for your dad.

God bless and keep you.
In Christ's love,
Sister Mack