My good friend died and I don't know if I'll see him in Heaven

[rossignol]

I had a good friend that died recently. He was a good man and know that he saw God in his own way even though he wasn't a Christian. How to deal with his death is an unanswerable thing to me when I've only been close to Christians that have died. any comments, suggestions?

 

[BruceDLimber]

The Baha'i scriptures assure us that we'll be with loved ones in Heaven in the Next Life.

Peace,

Bruce

 

[SanFrank]

Praying for you. G-d is good.


I thought of this scripture because I believe the Lord judges non-christians according to their deeds.

Ezekiel 18.5 "Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right. 6 He does not eat at the mountainhttp://www.biblestudytools.com/ezekiel/18.html#cr-descriptionAnchor-5 shrines or look to the idolshttp://www.biblestudytools.com/ezekiel/18.html#cr-descriptionAnchor-6 of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor's wife or lie with a woman during her period.http://www.biblestudytools.com/ezekiel/18.html#cr-descriptionAnchor-77 He does not oppresshttp://www.biblestudytools.com/ezekiel/18.html#cr-descriptionAnchor-8 anyone, but returns what he took in pledgehttp://www.biblestudytools.com/ezekiel/18.html#cr-descriptionAnchor-9 for a loan. He does not commit robberyhttp://www.biblestudytools.com/ezekiel/18.html#cr-descriptionAnchor-10 but gives his food to the hungryhttp://www.biblestudytools.com/ezekiel/18.html#cr-descriptionAnchor-11 and provides clothing for the naked.http://www.biblestudytools.com/ezekiel/18.html#cr-descriptionAnchor-128 He does not lend at usury or take excessive interest.http://www.biblestudytools.com/ezekiel/18.html#fn-descriptionAnchor-ahttp://www.biblestudytools.com/ezekiel/18.html#cr-descriptionAnchor-13 He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairlyhttp://www.biblestudytools.com/ezekiel/18.html#cr-descriptionAnchor-14 between man and man. 9 He follows my decreeshttp://www.biblestudytools.com/ezekiel/18.html#cr-descriptionAnchor-15 and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous;http://www.biblestudytools.com/ezekiel/18.html#cr-descriptionAnchor-16 he will surely live,http://www.biblestudytools.com/ezekiel/18.html#cr-descriptionAnchor-17 declares the Sovereign LORD."

 

[Booko]

I had a good friend that died recently. He was a good man and know that he saw God in his own way even though he wasn't a Christian. How to deal with his death is an unanswerable thing to me when I've only been close to Christians that have died. any comments, suggestions?

Trust in God and His mercy.

And personally I find it useful to reflect on God's omniscience and my own place in Creation. I just don't know enough to know the state of someone else's soul. That can be a humbling, but also a liberating, idea to reflect on.

Also, if you're so inclined, saying prayers for your friend is never a bad idea.

I hope any of this helps. My condolences to you on your friend's death.

 

[TG123]

I had a good friend that died recently. He was a good man and know that he saw God in his own way even though he wasn't a Christian. How to deal with his death is an unanswerable thing to me when I've only been close to Christians that have died. any comments, suggestions?

I would trust God and know that He is just, and that your friend is in His hands. If you are close to his family and they are not believers, be a witness to them in your actions towards them and when the time comes, perhaps you can share your faith with them.

 

[Illuminaughty]

I know some Churches believe in the importance of praying for the dead like the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox for example. I believe the former used too (still do?) offer masses for the dead as well. I don't believe in an eternal or everlasting hell but I do wonder about my dead friends a lot too. I lost too many friends to drug overdoses and stuff. Death is a great mystery. I've never been there myself or if I did (reincarnation) I certainly don't remember it. I have certain theories that have been influenced by my understanding of Buddhist teaching and ideas but I don't have much in the way of substantial / objective evidence of them being true.

 

[dlamberth]

I had a good friend that died recently. He was a good man and know that he saw God in his own way even though he wasn't a Christian. How to deal with his death is an unanswerable thing to me when I've only been close to Christians that have died. any comments, suggestions?

Have faith in God's Love and for you to continue to love your friend, even in their death. It's not for us to deal with the death of others, that's totally and completely God's place in the scheme of things.

.

 

[HeathenWarrior]

If there is anything I know, it is that the spirits are never harmed by any outside force, and help will always be provided to those that need it.

When you pass from this world, you will meet your friend once more. Of that, I am certain.

 

[Mediaeval]

No need to mourn as those who have no hope. "We trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men" (1 Timothy 4:10).

 

[Arthra]

I had a good friend that died recently. He was a good man and know that he saw God in his own way even though he wasn't a Christian. How to deal with his death is an unanswerable thing to me when I've only been close to Christians that have died. any comments, suggestions?

If there is a memorial service for him I'd urge you to attend and pray for him and his family...

Therefore, although we feel sad and disheartened, we must supplicate God to turn our hearts to the Kingdom and pray for these departed souls with faith in His infinite mercy so that, although they have been deprived of this earthly life, they may enjoy a new existence in the supreme mansions of the Heavenly Father.

(Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 47)

 

[ViaCrucis]

I had a good friend that died recently. He was a good man and know that he saw God in his own way even though he wasn't a Christian. How to deal with his death is an unanswerable thing to me when I've only been close to Christians that have died. any comments, suggestions?

Trust in and believe in the goodness and mercy of God. Pray and hope.

It is all we can ever do, for ourselves and for all others whom we love.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

I know some Churches believe in the importance of praying for the dead like the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox for example. I believe the former used too (still do?) offer masses for the dead as well. I don't believe in an eternal or everlasting hell but I do wonder about my dead friends a lot too. I lost too many friends to drug overdoses and stuff. Death is a great mystery. I've never been there myself or if I did (reincarnation) I certainly don't remember it. I have certain theories that have been influenced by my understanding of Buddhist teaching and ideas but I don't have much in the way of substantial / objective evidence of them being true.

While praying for the dead isn't standard Lutheran practice, our Confessions recognize it as an ancient and valid practice of the Church and so it shouldn't be rejected.

"Now, as regards the adversaries' citing the Fathers concerning the offering for the dead, we know that the ancients speak of prayer for the dead, which we do not prohibit; but we disapprove of the application ex opere operato of the Lord's Supper on behalf of the dead." - Defense of the Augsburg Confession, Article XXIV.94

-CryptoLutheran

 

[GigageiTsula]

I had a good friend that died recently. He was a good man and know that he saw God in his own way even though he wasn't a Christian. How to deal with his death is an unanswerable thing to me when I've only been close to Christians that have died. any comments, suggestions?

I'm sorry for your loss. May God comfort you during this difficult time.

 

[Supreme]

All you can do is pray for your friend now. Hopefully, you will see you friend in the next life. God is good and merciful, and keep that in mind.