I have not attended a huge number of funerals in my life. However, from the ones I have attended or watched on television, I have never heard a eulogy delivered that proclaimed what a wretch the deceased was and how they have begun serving an eternal sentence in hell, even when such a proclamation would appear to be based in truth. No, instead we tend to get platitudes and praises that seek to place the deceased in as favorable a light as possible, even at the risk of a complete disconnect from reality. I refer to this phenomenon as Eulogy Revisionism Syndrome (ERS). One of the most prominent arenas where I have observed the outbreak of ERS is in the death of corrupt, evil, unrepentant politicians. The mainstream media will often paint such people with a mythical aura of morality and righteousness. Unfortunately, the majority of those who populate the mainstream media today have reprobate minds, literally incapable of discerning good from evil. Unsurprisingly, they turn wicked men and women into "heroes" via ERS. I observed this week what appeared to me to be another case of ERS. I'll let you figure out who the latest "victim" is that I am referring to. The Lord had to remind me that while He hates evil, He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. He would much prefer that evil men would repent and find life. What a harsh awakening the "many" who travel the broad path that leads to destruction are in for when they realize their self-righteousness falls short of the glory of God. And there will never be a single case of ERS before either the Bema seat or the Great White Throne. The wicked may seem to prosper for a season, but in the end, if you'll forgive the improper English, "Ain't nobody gettin' away with nuthin'." The unsaved can’t comprehend the after life. They love to compare themselves with other people especially someone who has murdered so they can justify and say “well I’m not so bad as that person ... so I will make heaven”. Instead they need to be comparing themselves with the sinless Savior, Jesus Christ and then they will see they fall short and need a Savior. When I used to work in AWANA I would bring the next door neighbor’s son. His mom soon got convicted by the Bible lessons and verses and said her son can no longer attend the meetings. It was sad because he loved AWANA. She was divorced and every 4 months like clock work she would have some new guy living at her house before kicking him to the curb. She worked in a bar so she found a replacement fairly quickly. Whenever we saw a new sports car or truck in her driveway we knew she found a replacement. :wacko: In her mind, if she didn’t know anything about the Bible she felt then she wouldn’t be accountable to God. Yes, sadly a lot of unsaved will be shocked to find themselves in hell because they were trusting in their works/behavior/claim they didn’t know and/or thought they were good enough. Geri, that is so encouraging to hear, my husband and I were Awana missionaries for 12 years and I served in various roles in Awana for over 25 years. I was very privileged to partner with God in His great work winning boys, girls, and whole families to salvation through faith in the finished work of Jesus. I am still a huge proponent of memorizing Gods Word. Watchman, I would agree, the medianites (as Amir calls them) seem to have lost their minds. They call evil good and good evil. Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” They are blinded by the things of God by the prince of the air. :prayer-hands: Indeed many are blinded, Tammie. But sadly, many have also been turned over to their own reprobate minds. In this action I can certainly see God giving up in His efforts of salvation, knowing their end is non negotiable. Not because there is no forgiveness of sin, but because in God's omniscience He knows those that have and will give their hearts to the Lord. And those that won't! God certainly is long suffering and patient and His atoning blood is as fresh today as it was 2 thousand years ago. That said, this is why we need to be led by the Spirit, especially in our evangelistic efforts. There are times when as we fish for men the waters we fish in are fruitful. There are times when we must let God number the fish we can catch. And times when we move and cast our nets in other waters. And when man has given up and pulled their nets in early, God himself cast's his own net! TR Yes sir TR! Our Father is long suffering to us ward. It is heart wrenching to know that hell will be full and as the rich man stated ... Luke 16:23-24 “and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ Because of the eternal suffering they will experience, it is so important that we remain about our Fathers business as the Spirit guides, because I believe that as Peter stated... 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. We have work to do, as he guides until he calls us. :prayer-hands: who are you referring to Watchman? I think it's best not to give a name, even though I have a likely candidate in mind. I must agree that some people who have done incredible damage to the lives of others still get praised as wonderful human beings upon their passing. It's probably best to show some grace and decency to our opponents, rather than to heap abuse upon them when their time has come. I don't see that respect being returned from the other side, however. The Lord is not mocked, nor does He wring his hands in despair. He knows and sees all. He will also judge all. I remember attending the funeral of my best friends father long ago in my youth. A church and a pastor was found to oversee this funeral. The name of Christ was intentionally omitted. Elevator music was played rather than any traditional Christian hymns. The eulogy seemed to center on this man's lack of belief in God. Being strong enough to eliminate faith in anything but himself. This was presented as a badge of honour. Sad indeed. If atheist are right and there is no God, why then are they so angry and animated about refusing anyone else who might believe in a mistaken belief in God?! As Spock would say, highly illogical! Indeed there is a great malaise of spirit in our world today. While many choose to elevate their own spirits and the spirits of the dead, they rebel so vehemently against the spirit of God! Obviously not an oversight by any means, but rather a well intended deception! TR Hello Heidi: I think it is probably wisdom that I not specifically identify who was the inspiration for this post. The main focus is the broader application and not as much the individual who recently, in my opinion, exemplified it. I’m sorry, but if I may say so, it’s not healthy sit and stew in some so called righteous indignation (imo, it’s the exact opposite of that) and make assumptions about people you know next to nothing about. From what you said you haven’t been to many funerals, and I know you know nothing about the personal lives of any celebrities (political or non) besides what the news media broadcasts (which is actually a small percentage of many of their lives, not including their eternal state or inner workings of the heart, which would be next to impossible to rightly judge in such a manner). Whenever it comes to such (un)righteous indignation I think of how much Christians apparently secretly struggle with the idea of a 1st Century Jesus. Just think if his first coming was today, how much you’d have to revile the theif on the cross for the same reasons. If I may may paint with a similar broad brush, I always used to wonder why it’s worded that the Pharisees will see the triumphant return of our Lord and mourn, when they are 2,000+ years removed. Now I know; the Pharisees never really left.
