The phrase “a comforting fiction” is a particularly interesting one.  It is commonly used in situations in which a fairytale seems preferable to reality.  When, for example, a triggering event like the tragic loss of a loved one occurs, the fact of the death is impossible to deny.  Yet, that fact may feel too cold, too stark, too heavy to bear.

There is fear that its mere acknowledgement may—and more than likely would—overwhelm the bereaved’s defenses.  The resulting ground rush of grief and pain might lead to a catastrophic failure of their coping mechanisms.  This prospect is so terrifying that a frenzied search is launched for a soothing and more endurable narrative—in effect, an alternate reality—in which to take refuge.  Examples abound and their themes are prevalent in popular culture.

“Mommy hasn’t left us.  She’s the newest star in the sky—that one, right there.  She’s smiling down on you and she will guide you.  You can talk to her anytime you want, sweetie.  Listen for her when the wind blows.  She’ll whisper to you.”

This scene is a Hollywood classic.  The heartbreaking thing is that many people deem honesty to be somehow unkind or beyond the grasp of the very young, who are thus deprived of the chance to grieve and heal and move on.

In any case, why would anyone believe that deceased human beings become burning gaseous balls whose fortuitous placement in the Milky Way enables their celestial illumination to reach earth?  Is it reasonable to think that stars possess personalities and are aware of, favor and assist certain human beings?  Since this hope is not remotely plausible, it clearly reflects sheer desperation to avoid the truth at all costs.

“My grandma is my guardian angel.  She was a wonderful person and now, she watches over me and keeps me safe.  I feel her presence when I’m lonely or scared or in doubt.  It’s like she never passed.”  

This scenario is also a staple of books, films and television, and is equally heartbreaking, because of the inevitable discovery that the cherished belief is not true.  The void that this reluctant admission leaves is lonely and cruel.  Where do we read in the Bible that human beings at the end of their mortal lives, join the ranks of the angelic order, a completely different race of creatures?

“I happen to believe that the saints—people who were especially good and went to heaven before us—are up there interceding for us now.  We can ask them to go to God on our behalf, and plead with him to hear our prayers.”

This concept, in addition to its obvious flaws, is completely unbiblical.  Scripture says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 2:5). How does one get from the Christian doctrine of the universal unworthiness of sinful mankind before a holy God, to the idea that some failed humans are more deserving of God’s ear than other failed humans?  Why would a holy God listen to either party, or hear unworthy petitions on condition that a presumptively less unworthy middleman was employed to deliver them?

Since God has not promised any such thing, is it any wonder that substituting imagination for revelation first darkens, then deceives, then disappoints and finally, disillusions?  How can such distracting and destructive fictions be called, “comforting?”   In actuality, they are short-term expedients that postpone, but do not eliminate, the need to confront unpleasant or intolerable realities.

I must admit that I have never understood the allure of self-delusion, or how it could ever be viewed as preferable to the truth.  Should our most fundamental and consequential beliefs fail to pass the sniff test, holding our noses and plowing straight on seems both counterintuitive and counterproductive (not to say unwise).

It is therefore useful for us to recall that, from God’s perspective, death, as awful as it is, is not the worst calamity that can befall a human being.  Death without saving faith in Jesus Christ is the ultimate horror. 

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27).

[Jesus said] “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). 

[Jesus again] “But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him” (Luke 12:5).

The identity of the judge may surprise you: “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:” (John 5:22).

No one gets past Him.  “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).  The road to eternal life and the only way to God runs through Jesus Christ.

It was God Himself who devised and provided this path to His side:

“¹⁴ [Jesus said] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up [on the cross, i.e., crucified]: ¹⁵ That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  ¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  ¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:14-18).

Not only did God conceive and execute this plan of salvation through the mind-boggling sacrifice of His only begotten Son, “But God commendeth [demonstrated, proved] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).  Jesus died to pay the penalty our sins had earned, while we were still in rebellion against Him!  Such was God’s mercy.  Such was His grace (undeserved goodness toward us).  Even more amazing, God made eternal life and blessing His gift to us—totally free.

These are the facts that bring real comfort, not beguiling and bedeviling lies that rob us of assurance and peace.  The truth about our spiritual condition (that our sins separate us from a holy and almighty God, whose nature demands justice) initially strikes fear.  But when we learn of His love, mercy and provision for dealing with our sin and reconciling us to Himself, we are comforted beyond words.

^“11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life”(I John 5:11-12).

How about you?  Do YOU have the Son?  Does the SON have you?  If so, the angels have rejoiced over you and I praise God for you, dear brother or sister in Christ.  But if not…you MUST, for the sake of your soul, come to Jesus now.  Change your destiny today.  Let Him transform you.  Humble yourself and come.  He longs to welcome you.  He waits, but not forever.  The only breath you are guaranteed is the one in your lungs this moment.  That’s the urgent and unvarnished fact, not a “comforting fiction.”  Don’t procrastinate again.  Settle this without further delay.  Follow Jesus, serve Him—and live.   

HOW TO BE SAVED:

• Admit to God that you are a sinner (that you have not kept His moral law to perfection; in your thoughts, words, and actions you have done what His law forbids and have failed to do what His love demands).  This is seeing yourself from God’s point of view and agreeing that He is right about you.  Be as specific as you can.
• Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and that God raised Him from the dead.
• Sincerely repent (turn away) from your sins, asking God to forgive you and to use His power to help you resist temptation, no matter how strong the pull of sin may be, at first.
• Acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of your life.  Invite Him to move into your heart and take up residence there, so that He can change you from the inside out.
• Trust His promise to save you and give you a new spiritual birth and a new nature (thoughts, desires, priorities, hopes, dreams, and character).

SOME KEY TRUTHS:

• “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  (Romans 3:23)
• “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.”  (Romans 3:10)
• “For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23)
• “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”  (I Corinthians 15:3,4)
• “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)
• “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him…”  (Revelation 3:20)
• “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  (Romans 10:13)
• “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”  (Romans 10:9)
• “Verily, verily, I say unto you; He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life; and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”  (John 5:24)
• “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, ye might have life through his name.”  (John 20:31)