No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans 8:37-39 (RSV)

One of the most searching tests to apply to any religion concerns its attitude to death. And measured by this test much so-called Christianity is found wanting with its black clothes, its mournful chants and its requiem masses. Of course dying can be very unpleasant, and bereavement can bring bitter sorrow. But death itself has been overthrown, and ‘blessed are the dead who die in the Lord’ (Rev. 14:13). The proper epitaph to write for a Christian believer is not a dismal and uncertain petition, ‘R.I.P.’ (requiescat in pace, ‘may he rest in peace’), but a joyful and certain affirmation ‘C.A.D.’ (‘Christ abolished death’).

—From Authentic Christianity by John Stott

I don’t usually write a blog on the weekends, especially Sunday, but today I make an exception because it is my dad’s birthday. He would have been 83 today.

The piece I quote from John Stott above was one of the first things I read from him and as a writer, Stott immediately captured my heart. His affirmation of faith resonates with me and gives me hope—hope for living each day and hope for an eternity—and provides the basis for my celebratory reflection today.

My dad died almost two years ago and I still miss him dearly. I suspect that will be the case until the day I die. But that’s about ME and my sense of personal loss, not dad’s dying in Christ. Dad’s death is not the final chapter here because I KNOW he is alive in Christ and I KNOW I will see him again someday. And when I do, we will never, ever be separated again because we will have both died in the Lord Jesus. Having done so will allow us to live face-to-face with each other and with Jesus for all eternity. O glorious and blessed hope and anticipation! Make no mistake. I’m in no hurry to die nor am I eager to do so. But neither do I fear death because Jesus has conquered it for me, for my dad, and for all Christians who place their sole hope and trust in him.

Happy Birthday, dad. I miss you and look forward to the day when there will be no more tears shed. I thank God with my whole being for blessing me with a man like you to be my earthly father for over 50 years. I also thank you for being such a great dad, husband, community member, role model, and Christian man. Well done, good and faithful servant!

Thanks be to God in Jesus Christ our Lord! Christ HAS abolished death and made this reflection possible today! Alleluia!!