Rest In Peace
Rest in peace
A phrase we use, often spoken with a sad tone, at the loss of a loved one, a colleague or a friend. The idea it conveys, is that for our friend, there is peace, no more toil and sorrow, and a rest from hard labors in this life, and it’s a comforting thought for those who are left behind.
Like so many other things easily spoken, does this sentiment hold any truth?
By way of encouragement, the Bible reveals in Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord, Is the death of His godly ones.“ That’s good news for those who die as His godly individuals. The scripture also makes it clear, Pr 14:32 “The wicked is thrust down by his wrongdoing, But the righteous has a refuge when he dies.” Again, for those who are righteous, who are in a right condition with God, there is indeed a place of refuge, a place of peace from this world. For the wicked person, that is an entirely different matter. God has made it clear many times in many passages of scripture, that we are all going to be held accountable one day. Paul makes the statement in Rom 2:6 about “the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds:” Perhaps the most serious thought in all the Bible is the fact in 2 Cor 5:10 “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
For some, clearly death brings rest, but for others it is only the beginning of troubles.
When God speaks of “Peace”, what is the peace being referred to?
Paul said Christ is our peace, He is identified as the Prince of peace (Isa 9:6). “Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble“ Psalm 191:165. And in Rom 5:1 Paul tells us “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. Peace of the Bible is peace between the sinner and God. The idea of being able to rest in peace, is tied up with peace existing between an individual and God, and that through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The importance of having the relationship with Jesus before we die is the key. We must be with Christ. When we are without Christ Eph 2:12 tells us, “you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [He goes on in verse 13 to say] But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
In summary, from God’s word, to be able to rest in peace, one must be at peace with God, and that only through the Blood of Christ. To rest in Peace is to rest in Christ.
What are God’s terms for this peace?
We need to enter into a relationship with Jesus, and we need to do it right now. We do that by listening to his Word, because Rom 10:17 tells us, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”. Jesus said, “without faith it is impossible to please Him” Heb 11:6. So a person has to believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, they've also got to repent of their sins. “The kindness of God leads you to repentance” Rom 2:4 and this is universally commanded, Acts 17:30 says “God commands all men everywhere to repent” so there's no doubt that it's a necessary component to the relationship with Jesus.
On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up and preached Christ to the listening audience, and when they asked what they needed to do to be saved, he instructed those people Acts 2:38 to “repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins”. Just as Jesus commanded his disciples before he ascended to heaven, he spoke the very same, saying in Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Can prayer save us? Not according to scripture. Ask Paul when he was praying and fasting 3 days in Damascus was he saved? Not until he called on the name of the lord by being baptized Acts 22:16. We allow ourselves to be baptized as a demonstration of our faith in Jesus, and Jesus saves us through our obedience in Faith.
We go down into the water, we come up out of the water brand new by the blood of Christ and are added simultaneously to the Church of Jesus Christ. Rom 6:3-4, “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life”
That newness of life is peace, a place of rest, a true rest in peace. No more war with God, sins forgiven. That’s what God has declared to all mankind, the good news of Jesus and what He has made possible for us.
Do you want to rest in peace?
Do you want it to be a real peace for you, and a real comfort for those who are left behind. There is a real comfort when a loved on who was dedicated to Christ passes from our sight. Would you like to have the comfort of Psalm 116:15? “Precious in the sight of the Lord, Is the death of His godly ones.“ Contact us for a Bible study, were here to help, simply click