Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 1025
He’s Not With God
by Larry Ray Hafley
"Friends, family, and the famous gathered...to eulogize Pat Tillman, the former Arizona Cardinals player who traded the NFL and a $3.6 million contract for the Army Rangers, and died in an ambush April 22 in Afghanistan." Richard, his brother said, "Pat was not religious, so he’s not with God, he’s just (expletive) dead" (USA Today, 5/4/04, 8C).
Richard is wrong. His honored brother is "with God." "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" (Eccl. 12:7; Phil. 1:23). It matters not whether one is religious or not. It matters not whether one believes in God or not. When one dies, he is not simply dead; he goes to be with God. His body may go to a grave, but his spirit goes unto God into a place called, "hades" (Lk. 16:19-31). Of course, one lives in his body. He may also live apart from his body (2 Cor. 4:16-5:1; 12:3; 2 Pet. 1:13, 14).
Consider how sad, how unutterably sad and disgusting is Richard’s remark. He spoke those words, the article said, with his "voice shaking." He had emotions but he has no answer, no comfort. He and all like him truly have no hope and are "without God in the world." What a shame.
Brethren, we see and hear such unbelief every day. It is our duty to tell others the truth and give them the words of life and godliness.
