Is Papaw in heaven?

Daily Reading:  Revelation 16

Scripture Focus: And God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. (Revelation 16.19b)

Devotional Thought: A few weeks ago, I was asked the question, "Is Papaw in heaven?"  That's tough - especially at a funeral.  What do you say when 'Papaw' was obviously not a Christian?

As a young pastor, I was scared to death of doing funerals, especially when the deceased was not a Christian.  Eugene Simpson, my District Superintendent, helped me so much.  He told me, "Scott, remember that your funeral sermon cannot preach one person into heaven, nor can you preach one person out of heaven."  That is reflected in the words of a graveside committal: "This body we commit to the ground.  The spirit we leave with God, the just and merciful judge of the earth." 

You see, it isn't our job to judge anybody.  Our information at best is inaccurate and incomplete.  Often, it is biased.  But, there is One who is not subject to our biases, who sees perfectly and forgets nothing (except confessed sins!).  God remembers.

Babylon in the book of Revelation is a metaphorical reference to Rome and the oppressive systems of this world.  At times, the government - or other powerful sources such as media, business, and Hollywood - line themselves up against the children of God.  As a matter of fact, Jesus said that the world would hate us because it hated him.  The good news is, we don't have to seek vengeance (It mine, says the Lord) or try to mete out the correct punishment for the crime.  We don't even have to keep track of it.  God remembers.

So, is 'Papaw' in heaven?  We will leave it in the hands of the Lord, for God remembers.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for failing to think about the eternal destiny of lost souls.  Stir our hearts to bear witness to the salvation of the Lord. And then, Lord, having done all we can, help us to leave their spirits with God, for you remember.  Amen."

Psalm of the Day:  23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; 24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. 25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; 27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits' end. 28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29 He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. (Psalms 107:23-32)