1 Thessalonians 4:13

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.

      Saying goodbye is never easy. Unfortunately it is a part of life. People come into our lives and then leave it. Sometimes we are able to prepare for it, other times it is abrupt. Their leaving may be a temporary loss like a vacation or even moving away. It also may come in the form of death. All of these are ways that people who were once a part of our lives are no longer there in the same way.

     For the people of the world, the prospect of this idea must be daunting. When someone leaves them, their lack of belief means that those people who leave, particularly through death, will no longer be able to share fellowship with them. They will never again share the same jokes or confide in each other matters of the heart. We can see how this would be incredibly discouraging for those who have no God in their life.

     As Christians we do not have to feel the same grief when it comes to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. When they leave us, whatever form it may be, we know without a doubt that we will be reunited. Even if we never see one another again in this life, we know that we all have the same home in heaven. That is of great comfort to us. While our parting here on earth may be sorrowful, we can rejoice in anticipation of our reunion. 

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.