What Happens Next?

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:6 – “For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does.” (NRSVUE)

One thing I have noticed about mainline pastors like me is that we rarely talk about what happens to you after you die. We don’t put up billboards that say, “If you die tonight? Heaven or Hell”. I think we should focus on living the best and most loving life we can and let God worry about what happens afterwards. It is an attitude that depends on a trust of God and not certainty in doctrine.

But when someone you love is dying, especially if that person did not live a perfect life, you might worry about what might happen to them, even if you never hear sermons about the afterlife. Were they loving enough? Were they faithful enough? Or does it not even matter? Will God save us regardless of how we live our lives?

These are difficult questions, which is why we need to turn to God to find some kind of answer. But one conclusion is that while we should always strive to show gratitude to God’s grace through our behavior towards others, there is still a hope that extends beyond our mortal lives.

This was the attitude of the First Letter of Peter. It calls upon its readers to live their lives following the will of God and not human desires. All will be judged according to their mortal lives, but that judgment was not the end. “For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does.” Even someone who has done selfish and wicked things still has a chance to turn towards God.

What does this look like? Is it like a Purgatory where you slowly suffer off your sins? Does it happen in an instant? I don’t know, and I’m pretty sure you don’t either. But First Peter gives me hope that God’s compassion for us persists beyond this world. My God is not a “well, you should have thought of that” God.

God is calling for you to love the Lord with all your being and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is how we as Christians are supposed to set our priorities and live our lives. But I do not believe we should be defined by our mistakes or shortsightedness. If the gospel is proclaimed even to the dead, it is not our job to scare people into believing with the threat of Hell. We will leave that to God. We will instead focus on showing others what a Godly life looks like through our acts of kindness, mercy, and courage.

Imperfect people don’t need a scold; they need a friend. Stop worrying about what happens next. Be a friend today.

Prayer: God, you are always calling me to you and away from my selfish imperfections. Quiet my fears and help me be a beacon of love for the world. Amen.