In or Out??
I lost a friend on Thursday. At 53, Bernie died tragically, suddenly and way to soon for those of us with whom he associated. He was a giving and creative. Everything was "no problem."
Bernie and I met at a tense business meeting. I was impressed by his cool demeanor and unflappable nature. The pressure was on him, by a vocal, but hostile minority. He was unfazed, strong, but kind in this public setting. Later he admitted that he was really angered by the treatment, but "What does striking back do?" was his response to the matter.
He was a fitness freak as well. He played racquetball regularly. He watched what he ate. He took care of himself. Maybe that it was why it was so shocking to have him pass so quickly.
Bernie was not a "religious" man. He was more giving and caring than many of the people who I know who fancy themselves Christian.
He met my son and daughter-in-law once and took us to dinner. He always asked about them and commented how much he liked them. He never failed to do so when we saw each other.
On one of the last days when he was strong enough to speak, I had a an opportunity to pray with him. We had shared that privilege a few times in our brief friendship. At the end of our prayer, Bernie, in his own way expressed a hope in faith and our Lord.
To my knowledge, he never prayed a "Sinner's Prayer." (don't all of us who pray...pray a sinner's prayer every time we pray?) Bernie, to my knowledge, never expressed to me an "experience of salvation."
Some of those with whom I have shared our friendship and discussions, have expressed their disappointment that we will not see Bernie in heaven. One of those with whom I discussed Bernie intimated that one is either "in or out" when it comes to these things. It was almost as if the family of faith is an exclusive club with no wiggle room within the laws of the club. It also seems you need to know the language and speak it often. You know, "washed in the blood, saved," and other terms for which I have high respect and I believe I have experienced.
I have been reflecting on this over the last 24 hours since I heard of Bernie's passing. He was basic in his faith. He probably did not know the language or had he said the proper prayer. Yet, he was so much more like Christ than many of the people who I know who get paid for being Christian and who "profess a saving knowledge of Jesus."
So I wonder, is Bernie in or out? I know we serve a God of justice, but also of mercy. Is it as simple as being in or out? Is it that black and white? Is our interpretation of scripture accurate?
I hope I will see Bernie again. He was a good man.
So on this subject, I wonder, what do you think?
Bernie and I met at a tense business meeting. I was impressed by his cool demeanor and unflappable nature. The pressure was on him, by a vocal, but hostile minority. He was unfazed, strong, but kind in this public setting. Later he admitted that he was really angered by the treatment, but "What does striking back do?" was his response to the matter.
He was a fitness freak as well. He played racquetball regularly. He watched what he ate. He took care of himself. Maybe that it was why it was so shocking to have him pass so quickly.
Bernie was not a "religious" man. He was more giving and caring than many of the people who I know who fancy themselves Christian.
He met my son and daughter-in-law once and took us to dinner. He always asked about them and commented how much he liked them. He never failed to do so when we saw each other.
On one of the last days when he was strong enough to speak, I had a an opportunity to pray with him. We had shared that privilege a few times in our brief friendship. At the end of our prayer, Bernie, in his own way expressed a hope in faith and our Lord.
To my knowledge, he never prayed a "Sinner's Prayer." (don't all of us who pray...pray a sinner's prayer every time we pray?) Bernie, to my knowledge, never expressed to me an "experience of salvation."
Some of those with whom I have shared our friendship and discussions, have expressed their disappointment that we will not see Bernie in heaven. One of those with whom I discussed Bernie intimated that one is either "in or out" when it comes to these things. It was almost as if the family of faith is an exclusive club with no wiggle room within the laws of the club. It also seems you need to know the language and speak it often. You know, "washed in the blood, saved," and other terms for which I have high respect and I believe I have experienced.
I have been reflecting on this over the last 24 hours since I heard of Bernie's passing. He was basic in his faith. He probably did not know the language or had he said the proper prayer. Yet, he was so much more like Christ than many of the people who I know who get paid for being Christian and who "profess a saving knowledge of Jesus."
So I wonder, is Bernie in or out? I know we serve a God of justice, but also of mercy. Is it as simple as being in or out? Is it that black and white? Is our interpretation of scripture accurate?
I hope I will see Bernie again. He was a good man.
So on this subject, I wonder, what do you think?
posted by Larry at 7:57 AM
8 Comments:
Larry, I understand exactly where you are coming from on this. I continue to suspect that the people we meet in heaven will surprise us by their presence as well as by their absence! Only God knows our hearts and thankfully He is truly just in His judgements!
I agree with Graeme, Only God knows our hearts.
When my friend got hit by a train and passed away earlier on this year I was struck with these questions. But I came to peace when I thought only God knows his heart. God is the judge not us. We don't know what went on in his mind right before he passed. For all I know he could have cried out to Jesus. And I believe that if even in their death bed they make Jesus their saviour that they go to heaven.
Anyway a few weeks ago I had to priveldge to spend the day with Major Betty Baker. For those of you who don't know her she is an amazing woman of God!! She used to work in NYC on the streets with the hookers, drug dealers and prostitutes. She wasn't scared of ANYTHING. There was this young girl on the streets who she had spoke with multiple times. She built a relationship with her and told her about Christ. The young girl loved betty Baker but she didn't love the Lord yet. The last time Major Baker saw this young girl she grabbed her and stared right into her eyes and said to her "if you are ever in some sort of trouble cry out to Jesus." The next day Major Baker got word that the young girl was stabbed to death. Major Baker FIRMLY believes that this young girl is in heaven. She prays everyday that when she gets to heaven she will be reunited with her. Amazing story right?
Can't respond to your question, Larry - can only say what a gift Bernie was to me. Our friend Lucille is right - there are only a few people in life who are rocks, and Bernie was one of them.
I am so sorry to hear about this loss. He sounds like an amazing man who helped everyone around him be stronger and more secure.
53 is too young to be taken.
It sounds like he made a tremendous impact in your life. Especially by showing care and concern to the family you love so deeply. It doesn't cost a single cent to be thoughtful, but it brings depth and compassion to every relationship. Its obvious that he thought you and your family were very special.
Who are we to know if this spiritual conversation with God had not happened?
The language can be as simple as "Lord, I need you."
Eternity is not a club, but the gift of God.
I'm sorry the burden you carry means you feel lonely from the loss of your respected and endeared friend.
Larry,
Sorry to read of your lost.
You offer several poignant thoughts regarding your friend, Bernie.
"In or Out??" hmm? Like you - I, too, am fascinated with words. And the word that came to my mind as I read your words regarding Bernie was - FORGIVNESS.
I think Bernie is "In" - looking down from the ramparts of heaven, looking down and saying to you, continue to do a good job!
Luke 23:32-43 tells us the story of the 'thief on the cross.' "One of the criminals who hung there with Jesus hurled inslts at him saying: "Aren't you the Christ? save yourself and us!"
But the other rebuked him (Jesus) saying: "don't you fear God since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man (Jesus) has done nothing wrong."
Then he (the other criminal said), "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
And Jesus answered (him), "I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE."
I presume that thief didn't know much theology. He only knew three things: 1. That Jesus was a king, 2. That his kingdom was not of this world, 3. That this king had the power to bring even the most unworthy into his kingdom. But that was enough.
And, in a moment with the Saviour, a life time of moral debt is cancelled (Hallelujah).
Incredible when you think about it - amidst the humiliating abuse of the crowd and the excruciating pain of the cross, Jesus was stil about his Father's business. Even with his eyes sinking feverishly on the horizon of death, he was telling a common thief about the uncommon riches of heaven.
Im not suggesting your friend was a thief. not at all.
Here's my point - we all have stolen much. When we have gossiped, we have taken from another's reputation, and in the process, robbed from our own. When we have raised our voices in anger, we have taken away from peace. When we have aided and abetted in immoral thoughts, we have stolen from another's dignity, depreciating that person from a sacred object of Jesus to a common object of our own. When we have hurt someone's feelings, we have taken something from that person's self-worth...something which might never be replaced... something for which we might never be able to make restitution. When we have spoken the truth, but not in love, we have stolen from Jesus' kingdom by pushing a soul, not closer, but farther away from the borders of paradise.
My he grant us grace to live such a life that when he remembers us in his kingdom, he may remember us with a smile, and look forward to the day when we, too, will be with him in paradise.
I like the word FORGIVENESS!
PS - my apologies for the length of my comments.
As you know, this is something that I’ve been struggling through for quite some time. I even made an attempt at universalism but couldn’t quite commit as the Bible does seem to suggest that salvation requires both grace AND faith. But faith seems to come in all shapes and colors and, as Graeme said, I suspect we’ll all be pleasantly (and possibly not so pleasantly) surprised when we see who eventually “gets in”.
I suppose your friends are right, you are either in or out (unless you’re a catholic, and then you get some lovely time in purgatory) but I doubt very much that we’ve progressed much beyond the Pharisees style of theology and living out their faith. Just as they created all kinds of rules and parameters out of fear and in a desperate attempt to maintain control, I’m pretty sure that we have too.
I was reminded this week of something that a great writer once said: “Three things will last forever; faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” If he’s right, I sometimes wonder if those with seemingly little faith, but out loving and serving people, might have a leg up on those who spent so much time hanging out in the church building “serving the Lord”. If love is greater than faith, quite a few of us may need to change our weekly planners up a bit.
Tim,
Spot on!
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