“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who have fallen asleep”

                                                                                                     1 Thessalonians 4:13

 

I once heard this comparison between ignorant and stupid: “A person can be ignorant (not knowing some fact or idea) without being stupid (incapable of learning because of a basic mental deficiency).” When Paul says he would not want his brothers to be ‘ignorant’ about those who have fallen asleep, he’s really saying he wants them to be aware of the facts when it comes to death. That is, that those who died in faith in Christ will be resurrected from their death.

 

Case in point: I recall doing Bible studies at a group home in my hometown and Erwin, one of the residents with a mental disorder would always say to me, “My mother’s up there!” and point to heaven. “I’m going to see my mother someday,” he’d always add with joy and conviction. In no way would I call Erwin neither ignorant nor stupid because he knew! He knew ‘the facts that God is going to raise the dead. This blessed hope gives peace and assurance to believers close to death as well as every believer. It also serves as a reminder that those we love who die in faith, we will see again. Thus, Erwin’s joy is our joy!