Is My Loved One in Heaven?

“Yes, there is life after death, and there is a heaven, but the Builder of heaven created it to only be occupied by people who meet His terms.”

While his hands gripped the casket and tears streamed down his face looking at his daddy, little Jimmy was devastated, along with many others. He did not understand what was happening. His dad had been playing with he and his sister a few days ago, then went to bed but never woke up. Jimmy’s grandma with a small and weak voice tried to bring comfort saying, “Your daddy is with grandpa now. No doubt they will be golfing together on the best courses and fishing on the most beautiful rivers.” (Image by Pixabay)

When death comes to visit our loved ones and friends, in the midst of our pain and sorrow we may try to imagine the best with where our loved one might be at that moment. We are believing there is an afterlife, and our loved one has gone on there and met up with other loved ones and good friends and are thoroughly enjoying themselves in one of the most beautiful places that can be envisioned.

This brings us comfort as we grieve, but is it true?

In the Bible there is this question, “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14) Who can answer this, and also the truth about heaven? Jesus once said, “No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.” (John 3:13) Jesus verifies that heaven truly exists. He came from there, and after He died and rose again from the dead, He returned.

Can a person truly live again after they die? Jesus answers this too, saying “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” (Jn. 11:25-26)

Yes, there is life after death, and there is a heaven, but the Builder of heaven set it up to only be occupied by people who meet His terms. Let me explain the conditions the Lord God laid out, which are both simple and very difficult.

Repentance. “Turn away from evil and do good” (Psalm 34:14) God has laid down laws against things like lying, sexual immorality, drunkenness, as well as, anger, unforgiveness and jealousy. He says we must stop these things, turn to Him and start doing good.  

Belief. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31) Belief is an overlapping word along with trust and faith. It means not only to have a sense of acknowledgement of the existence of Jesus, but also refers to committing one’s entire life under His complete authority.

Evidence of obedience. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46) What is the proof of turning away from evil and believing in Jesus? If someone is truly a follower of Christ it will show in their obedience to Jesus and the Word of God.

Evidence of love. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5) Following Jesus is about love for Him. Love is not just about feelings and emotions, but a total devotion to Christ, where you serve Him with all your being, because of who He is and what He did on the cross for you.

There are two places in the afterlife: heaven and hell. Hell is an awful place for those who have rejected Christ and refused to live for Him. But for those who have turned from sin, placed their faith in Christ, and give evidence of that through obedience and love for Jesus, then I can confidently say they are in the presence of the King of kings this very this moment. And if you follow Christ, then when you face death, you will be in heaven as well.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for those who have had to bury a loved one or close friend. Bring peace to their heart. Help them to cast their cares on you and prepare them for their own eventual appointment with death. Bring them to turn from their sin and trust in you with all their being. In Jesus’ name. Amen.