by Bobby L. Graham
Is it right to say, 'Rest In Peace' (R.I.P.)?
Is it right to express one's hope for a deceased person by the use of "Rest in Peace" (R.I.P.)? I recently received this question in a much longer form, but I have here condensed it for inclusion in this column.
While it is understandable that we would want to give comfort to families losing a loved one to death, it is also wise to consider the spiritual state of the one who died. I personally would not use the R. I. P. for a person unless I were convinced that he was faithfully serving the Lord according to God's will. I would try to use some other means of comforting those families that lose loved ones who are questionable to me. In making such a decision, I try to be just, but at the same time judge righteous judgment (John 7:24). I would also follow the same reasoning and practice in posting comments to a public forum like Facebook or a website.
What does the Bible teach about the spiritual condition of people at death? It teaches the same thing about their condition at death as it teaches about their condition in life. In other words, as death overtakes one, so shall the judgment find him (Heb. 9:27). Saying something like this might seem too blunt or candid for some, but there is no way to smooth it over to make it more acceptable. According to the Scriptures, there will be no time or opportunity after death to prepare to meet God. Each will then give account to God for himself based on things done in this life, i.e., "the things done in the body" (Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10). No extra time for conversion in the millennium, no other time for repentance ever, are what the Bible teaches. While we might not like this idea, we can never change it!
We must remember that Jesus came to separate those willing to believe in Him and follow Him from others who reject His candid teaching (Matt. 10:21-22, 34-39; Luke 14:26-27). Jesus used "hate" in this passage to mean "love less," as can be seen by comparing the two accounts of Matthew and Luke. He does not encourage hatred in the sense of detesting or abominating, but in placing less value/worth on family relationships than on one's connection with the Lord Jesus Christ. The priority of Jesus Christ is absolute; but relationships to others, even family, vary according to the will of Christ.
When all is said and done with the teaching in the Bible, it becomes clear that we must make some judgments (Matt. 7:1-6; John 7:24). Oh, I know that many use the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 7 to assert that no one has the right to judge; but a close study of the passage reveals that He offers instruction on how to judge (fairly, righteously, considering our frailties) and how not to judge (hypocritically, hypercritically, neglecting our faults). In other words, He really teaches that we must judge, not that we must not judge. Verse 6 even requires that we judge concerning who qualifies as a "dog" or "swine" in order not to waste time on those lacking appreciation for the "pearls/holy things" of God.
Righteous judging, however, must take place by all servants of God. Sometimes we must judge who is prepared for judgment, according to our limited knowledge, realizing that final judgment belongs to the Lord. According to my understanding of Bible teaching, those who have never placed their faith in Jesus Christ and demonstrated such in their repentance, confession of faith, and baptism into Christ are unprepared to meet the Lord (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38). I could not express hope for their souls by using "R.I.P." because to do so would certainly encourage people in the mistaken notion that obedience to the gospel of Christ is not necessary.
Author Bio: Bobby participates in fill-in preaching, Belize trips, teaching at Athens Bible School, and in gospel meetings. He and his wife, Karen, have three children: Richard, Mary Katherine Winland (Darren), and Laura Paschall (Jeremy). He can be reached at bobbylgraham@pclnet.net.
