But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 (NIV)
Christ Died
Over the past two decades, cremation has become the norm in Canada. According to the Cremation Association of North America, which uses data from provincial vital statistics departments, the cremation rate in Canada has risen from 48 percent in 2000 to 72 percent in 2018. Even more than Americans, Canadians are turning away from traditional burial — a trend experts say is changing how the funeral service industry conducts business and how family members honour and remember their loved ones.
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Grief is what happens when life changes, we have no control over the change, and life will never be the same again. That is why death is so difficult. The death of a loved one tears our hearts apart and leaves us broken. It certainly did for those who loved Jesus the most when He died that painful death on the cross. From the perspective of the two millennia that have passed since His death, however, Jesus’ death has become the foundation of joy for millions of people around the globe. How can that be? Paul the apostle writes this in Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” At first, Jesus’ death looked like the greatest injustice in history. It was actually the high point of God’s loving plan for our redemption. When Jesus died, He bore the punishment we each deserve for our sin. And when we place our faith and trust in Him, repenting of our sin and inviting Him to remove them and come into our lives as Saviour and Lord, His death has served its purpose. Jesus died for you – put your faith and trust in Him.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley