This question for Christians only, please?
What words of comfort can you give to the family of a person that you are certain was not a Christian? Unless he changed his mind in the last days before he died (he swore at a co-worker who tried to witness to him a couple of weeks before he died), we don't think he accepted Christ as his savior.
Any suggestions on how to comfort the family? I definitely do not want to state that I don't think he made it into heaven as that would only be hurtful to them, nor am I his judge.
His funeral visitation is tomorrow.
2007-09-03 13:39:33 · 23 answers · asked by Searcher 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The man who died was an elderly co-worker and the person that witnessed to him was also a co-worker. So, it was someone we cared about.
2007-09-03 13:44:51 · update #1
I just say, "sorry for your loss. I knew him/her from work and thought he was a great person. We'll miss him, too. " If not a great person, I tell them of something I shared with the deceased-story, work, etc.-and leave it at that. I was pretty upset once when someone close to me died, and I knew he wasn't saved. A lot of christians were there and we discussed amongst ourselves how heart-rending it is to lose someone and know they didn't know Christ as their savior. I suppose it was giving each other false hope, but ended with, "We don't know for sure. He could have turned to God in those last moments and was saved." So, if a family member were to say this to you, that's the best thing to tell them, "We don't know for sure, but....."
2007-09-03 13:55:08 · answer #1 · answered by dawnUSA 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of the things Jesus did best was to say nothing when nothing was required. You can change nothing - so say nothing.
"I'm so sorry for your loss" - that's the best thing. Give them a hug, and walk away - even if you feel compelled to say more, no matter how hard it is - bite your tongue, squeeze their hand in a comforting way and walk away.
You don't need to voice any kind of opinion at all - after all, you don't know what really happened between him and God in the last moments of his life. And most of all - right now, you can't make any difference in his eternal fate - voicing what you think to be true would only hurt those who are already hurting.
God be with you and the family.
2007-09-03 13:52:07 · answer #2 · answered by Patti R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just go to visitation and support the family by saying
something nice about the deceased co-worker; like
how much he helped you in a certain situation and how
you appreciate that and will always remember him for
that; or how he helped with the company success; or
even just that you are glad they were good friends. You
don't need to bring up his religion or non-religion or
whether you or anyone else thinks he accepted Christ
before his death or not.
2007-09-03 13:51:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First you have no idea what if anything the individual believed in. There have been times I have told people to stop talking to me about their beliefs, because some can go overboard or it is not what I believe in. Keep it simple, you do not have to mention anything religious to the family, you are there to be a comfort to them, not judge the individual that died. Tell them you are sorry for their loss and that you will keep them in your thoughts and prayers. It should not matter to you if the person accepted Christ as his Savior or not.
2007-09-03 13:52:30 · answer #4 · answered by julvrug 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
*sigh*. as quickly as we die we are able to all be malicious software nutrients and not something greater, no mater what you suspect. you're assuming that we purchase into the existence after death area of your faith even nevertheless we don't have self assurance interior the deity of your faith. even as this does technically fall interior the definition of the only requirement to be an atheist isn't believing in god, some seconds thought permit you to recognize that your question will in basic terms have intending to a believer and to no longer a non-believer. So i visit place it desirable returned at you: Why do you persevere in attempting to argue with atheists from a believers attitude whilst an atheist does not have a believer's attitude? that is like arguing approximately what number bananas in a megabyte - no elementary denominator.
2016-10-09 21:51:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My best friend was not a Christian, at least that I know of, right up to his death. I did tell the family that they were in my prayers. They said thank you for the thought. I don't know, but they knew that I was a Christian and that was just my way, it might not work because they might get affended, but I don't see why. Some people see it as a way to let them know they are being thought of.
2007-09-03 14:01:04 · answer #6 · answered by pippenintheshire 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just don't say anything about that topic. Visit, with "please accept my sympathies on the loss of your loved one". Express your concern for the living.
As it is, it's very difficult to say anything to a family member whose loved one died as a Christian. This is a much more difficult situation.
2007-09-03 13:52:18 · answer #7 · answered by flandargo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a tough one. Generally you just don't bring up what your opinion of their loved one's eternal destiny might be. You tell them that you are praying for them or that you are sorry about their loss or you offer to help out but only if you really mean it and are going to follow through on it.
If they ask you where you think the person who died is, you just tell them that God only knows and that it's possible that they could have made a last minute conversion like the thief on the cross did.
2007-09-03 13:48:10 · answer #8 · answered by Martin S 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
well we really dont know where his heart was at the last minute. he very well could have have given his life to God before dying. we just dont know. give comforting words, they might not necessarily need to be bout heaven or hell. it could be "he is no longer suffering in this world, he is at peace now, i cant say cause i dont know any of the situation. but if you believe in God then you ask God what He wants you to say.
2007-09-03 13:54:51 · answer #9 · answered by warrior*in*the*making 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dad rejected the message of salvation even at the point of his death four years ago. My pastor told me that the moment between the physical and the eternal is "holy ground" and you never do know what takes place there.
Some how, that really struck a chord of comfort with me.
I just rest in the knowledge that our God is gracious and awesome. And He has promised to "wipe every tear from my eyes" and I believe that.
2007-09-03 13:47:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋