Hi Chick,
In my earlier post, in answer to your question which is the title of this discussion, "As A Christian, Would You 'Pull The Plug?" -- I wrote:
Hi all, Let me speak from recent experience. Last Wednesday, a dear Christian Friend had a massive heart attack and was immediately put on life support because she could not breath on her own. Within a couple of hours, the doctors wanted to pull the plug -- but, the family, trusting in God to know and do what was best, asked them to wait.
This did two things. First, it left her in God's hands. And, second, it gave her family time to travel to the hospital. Last night, after much prayer, the family allowed the doctors to pull the plug and she went home to be with her Lord.
The one thing which sustains believers, in such times, is the fact that we know that once she breathed her last breath in her mortal body -- her next breath is in heaven with the Lord. So, as believers, we do not say "Goodbye" to her; we merely say, "Good night. I will see you on that glorious resurrection morning -- when we will have a happy family reunion. And, Jesus Christ will be our Host."
That is the eternal security we have in being Christian believers -- that one day, we WILL be with our Lord -- and we WILL be reunited with our believing loved ones. This is the hope which is in all believers.
Sadly, everyone who knew her, but are not Christian believers -- must say goodbye now -- for they will never see her again. Bill
And, Chick, you ask, "No offense intended, Bill, but I have a couple of honest questions. If the family trusted in God to know and do what was best -- what made them decide to pull the plug after her family had time to travel to the hospital?"
No offense taken. When the doctor wanted to pull the plug within hours of her being admitted -- the family was still in shock and, putting their whole faith in God, did not want to react too quickly. And, they did want to wait for family and friends to be able to be with her and pray for her while we could still say she was alive.
By Sunday evening, it was obvious that she was indeed brain dead. Did his rule out a miracle from God? No. But, the family, after much prayer, accepted the fact that she was gone and that God's will had indeed been done in her life and in her death.
Such decisions are always very difficult. However, I have found over the years that when one is seeking God's will, and one prays sincerely, makes a decision, and then finds peace in that decision -- it is a pretty good bet that this is God's will. We cannot fight against God; we accept His will even when it hurts -- for we know that His plan for us and for our family is best.
Then, Chick, you ask, "You mentioned those non-believers never seeing her again. Why not? Do you think it's impossible that they could ever be saved?"
You are right. I was not as clear about this as I should have been. Typically, we share this at a funeral or memorial service for several reasons: First, to assure everyone that the one who has passed is a believer. Notice that I have said, "IS a believer" -- not, "WAS a believer." Just because a person has died -- he/she does not stop being a believer. Now that she has passed from this mortal world into His presence -- she has even more reason to be assured of her eternal salvation -- for she is standing face to face with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That is His promise to all believers -- and that is the eternal hope we have in Christ.
Second, we share this to assure those of us who are also believers -- that, one day, we will be reunited with this loved one. One day, when we each pass from this world -- this dear wife, mother, friend -- WILL be waiting with Jesus Chris to welcome us into His presence in heaven. That is our Blessed Assurance from God Himself.
Now, regarding those who are not yet believers when this dear one left us -- will they ever see her again? If they become believers themselves and seek their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ -- YES! They definitely will see her again.
If they do not become believers, but continue to the end of their mortal lives still denying Jesus Christ, still following the world -- NO! They will never see this loved one again. For they will not be in heaven in the presence of our Lord.
This is the main reason that we do share this thought at funerals and memorial services. We want those who are not yet believers -- to make that all important turn, that eternal decision. We want them to turn from following the world -- and turn to follow Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
Every non-believer at the service for the Christian believer who will do this -- YES, he/she will be a part of that glorious Family Reunion in heaven one day. If we love the person we just lost -- we must love her Jesus Christ also; for that would be her fondest desire -- that ALL of her family and friends be at the Family Reunion in heaven.
Chick, thank you for pointing out this area where I was not clear in my earlier post. This is too important to not explain it well.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bil