{"id":35341,"date":"2023-05-11T03:30:14","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T10:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=35341"},"modified":"2023-05-04T08:51:55","modified_gmt":"2023-05-04T15:51:55","slug":"may-11-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2023\/05\/11\/may-11-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"May 11, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dear Abigail,
\nMy friend\u2019s Mormon mother recently passed away and she wants to know if she is in heaven. What do I say to my friend that will comfort her, but also explain her need for the Good News?
\n-Cautious Companion<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Dear Cautious,<\/p>\n

You are right to not want to offer false assurances. At the same time, be careful not to overcomplicate it. John 14:7 says, \u201cIf you know Me, you will also know My Father,<\/em>\u201d (HCSB), and in John 17:3 Jesus says, \u201cThis is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent\u201d<\/em> (NKJV). The thief on the cross said, \u201cJesus, remember me,\u201d<\/em> and that was enough for Jesus to assure him of paradise (Luke 23:42-43).<\/p>\n

Ultimately, it\u2019s not up to you or me to decide who knows Jesus\u2014that is God\u2019s job. You never know who might have had a come-to-Jesus moment, so comfort your friend that if her mom knew Jesus, she is with Him right now.<\/p>\n

Seize hold of this opportunity to ask your friend if she knows Jesus. What does she know about Him? Does she understand the price He paid for her wrongdoing? Will she confess out loud that Jesus is Lord and believe that He is risen from the dead? (See Romans 10:9).<\/p>\n

Some final advice for comforting the grieving: it\u2019s OK to not say anything for a long while and just be there. Finally, don\u2019t forget to pray for her to know Jesus more through this.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation\u2026. For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved\u201d <\/em>(Romans 10:10, 13).<\/p>\n

Father, we pray for our unsaved friends and family members. Soften their hearts toward You and open their ears to hear the good news of salvation. Help us all to grasp the simplicity of the gospel, and show us doors of opportunities that are opened for us to share. Comfort those who grieve the loss of loved ones who did not follow You, knowing that You are the final and only judge they have to answer to. You know all things. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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