It is Not Death to Die part1

      Some days ago I read a Facebook post by Pastor Okey (read my intro to Okey post here). He wrote about his dear friend and fellow brother in Christ, Terry, who has gone to see the Lord. Here's some of what he wrote:

"...Terry labored faithfully with me for over 20 years in church ministry. Before his health declined he regularly held weekly Bible studies in his home and prepared incredible Wed. evening meals for the entire church to facilitate the church families in being able to attend the midweek service...Terry's prayer of confession in the corporate worship service each Sunday was also so very special and moving...All said, Terry is one of the best friends, and most importantly, dearest brothers in Christ I have had or ever will have. I miss him already and I will continue to. There won't be any more phone conversations asking his opinion on some issue, no more card games (best hearts and spades card player I ever played), no more special meals, nor will his voice again be heard in prayer in the worship service..." 

This week I've thought a lot about Okey's words along side of reflecting on Terry's life. There are so many praiseworthy things to gleam from his death. If nothing else we see the plentiful fruit Terry's life yielded, as told by Okey. The Bible tells us that people will be recognized by their fruit (Matthew 7:16-20) and by love people will know a person belongs to Christ (John 13:35, Galatians 5:6). With the assurance of Terry confession, confirmed both by his words and life, I celebrate this dear brother's life and death. I am reminded that the fruit of my own life (i.e. the works of my hands) gives my confession of Christ a platform to stand on or a hill to fall down. Not to say I am not sinless (and if you read Okey's full post, he talked about the stubbornness of Terry's heart). This brings me to my next thought... 

I am not sure how or why, but Terry was the man Okey selected to pray the prayer of Confession every Sunday morning. I remember Terry's prayer of confession distinctly, spoken with his delightful southern accent. It went like this:

"Our God (pronounced "Goadd") and Father, 

Forgive us for our sins we have committed by doing what ought not to have been done and forgive us for the sins we have committed by not doing what ought have been done..." 

Was there anything super-special about those exact words of his prayer? Not really. So why do I love it and remember it so vividly 7 years later? It's due to the godly example of Terry's straightforward sincerity and faithful regularity every. single. week. Furthermore, I appreciate the  reminder that my sin is not just confined to doing the wrong things, but that to of not doing the right things.

To summarize my gleaming: A godly man's confession of Christ needs to be met with fruit from his life;  when it isn't, repentance is necessary.

But most importantly, Terry confesses his sins no more to the Lord, he confessed them for the very last time. Now his many PRAYERS have turned to unending PRAISE! He is free to marvel at his Savior's feet! Praise the Lord for his amazing grace!