See You Later (1 Thes 4:13)

My grandfather refused to say `Good bye'. He felt the word was too final. So when we travelled away after family visits, his farewell ritual was always the same: standing in front of his house, he would wave and call out `So long'.

As believers, many never say, `Good bye' to the ones we love, as long as we all retain our trust in Jesus as our Saviour. The Bible promises that we will see them again. The apostle Paul said that we should not "sorrow as others who have no hope" because when Jesus returns believers who have died will rise from their graves to gather with the believers who are still alive to meet the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). We have confidence that one day on earth there will be no more death, no sorrow not crying (Revelation 21:4).

It is in that wonderful place that "we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Christadelphians have the hope of an eternal reunion with Christ and their loved ones who have passed away. That is why Paul exhorted us to "comfort one another with these words". Today encourage someone with the hope that allows us to say `So long' instead of `Good bye'.

At death, God's people don't say `Good bye' but `We'll see you later'.

Bro Isaac Kapa (Tongaren, Kenya)