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4. Let's quit letting people believe that being a good person entitles them to heaven. The typical funeral will have the deceased eulogized by speakers listing the person's good works. We're not against that, for Scripture does say, "Their works follow them" (Rev. 14:13, NKJV). But that doesn't get anyone into heaven.
5. Let's quit acquiescing when mourners talk about the deceased now becoming "an angel in heaven." No, they're not. There is not a single word in all Scripture that leads us to believe mortals turn into angels in glory. It's not necessary to correct family members who say in their eulogies that "heaven has just gained another angel" or such man-made mythology. But when asked, we should tell the truth.
6. Preach the cross of Jesus. Preach His death, the shedding of His blood and His resurrection. When people say, "Well, I believe he was a good person and he deserved heaven," or something similar, if we're in a setting where this is in order, I will ask if we can talk about that a moment. If they're good with that, I'll ask, "Then what was the purpose of Jesus' coming into the world and dying on the cross if all we had to do was to be good?" God could have sent a carrier pigeon with a note saying, "Y'all be good, now, hear?" Most people have never stopped to think about that. Tell me how pitiful that is. All we're talking about is the most important thing in all eternity.
Dr. Mark Rutland's
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