I recently lost someone close to me.  I had witnessed to him, shared the love of God, and my faith with him over the years.  But by any standard, he was not born-again.  He could not bring himself to believe.  So when he died, I found myself thinking a lot about it.

Many people, Christian and not, responded with “at least he’s at peace.” Some simply believing he’s free from the problems and suffering that eventually took his life without even thinking beyond that; others assuming he’s in Heaven, simply because it makes us feel better to think so.

What’s the truth?  I have been on a journey, growing in my faith on this subject.  I know God’s Word says in Romans 10:9 “if you believe and confess…you will be saved,” I also know God is love, (1 John 4:8). How can we reconcile these truths?

I came to my own conclusion.  And that is, “I trust God’s judgement.” You might ask, “How does that bring you any peace, thinking your loved one might not be in Heaven?”  Let me tell you why it does.

I know my God!  And because I do, I trust Him, completely.  Therefore, I am secure in submitting to and trusting His judgement!

It hasn’t always been that way.  I think I’ve held every stance on this topic, depending on where I was in my relationship with God.  I’ve said, ‘God is love, so he must save everyone who isn’t completely evil.’ I’ve believed, ‘no way could anyone who hasn’t openly confessed Jesus and have proof to show for it, go to heaven.’ I’ve been on the fence, rocking back and forth between ‘I know God loves them, so maybe…’and ‘but what about…?’  Trying to console myself, that God would accept them regardless of their confession.  None of these perspectives gave me complete assurance or peace on whether someone who dies goes to Heaven.  And I believe the reason is because I did not really know God, nor trust Him.  I tried to come up with ‘the truth’ according to how I felt.

I’ll say it again; I trust my Father’s judgement.  He is God, I am His child.  I know He is love, and that He sent His son to save us. Not on our works, but on His. He did all that it would take to redeem us from Hell.  He did it!  God is in the qualifying business, not trying to disqualify us!  So I know He did everything possible in my loved one’s life, even at the hour of his death to qualify Him.  I know He loved him, sought him throughout his life and loves him even now. Am I saying I assume he is in Heaven?  NO.  I still stand by the truth that everyone has a choice. Scripture says that.  I believe God loves us enough that He respects that. That’s why He’s made it our decision.

But let me leave you with this.  ONLY GOD KNOWS OUR HEART.  Even someone who ‘confesses that they are a Christian, may not be saved.  We leave that up to God.  How can God’s judgement be questioned?  He is the only one whose judgement is perfect!  I don’t always know the outcome to God’s judgement, but I can have peace that it is right.

If someone you know openly confessed Jesus as Lord, and then passes, you’re pretty confident they are in Heaven, right?  There’s no proof.  But you trust it, based on the Word of God!  You choose to have faith in God.  So if you don’t know whether that person confessed Jesus or you are sure they didn’t, your faith must still be in God!  Let God be the judge, remembering that He is full of mercy.

Truly submitting and surrendering your will to God’s in this matter might be difficult if you haven’t exercised it before.  But you can.  And if fearful thoughts come back about whether your loved one is saved, push them away!  Tell God you trust Him, and surrender your thoughts for His.  I trust God, and that is where I have found lasting peace.