Why the Christian Should Choose Burial over Cremation – Part 2

Paul said, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify” (1 Cor 10:23). He preached that there is a liberty found in Christ and encouraged the saints to be led by the Spirit in all things pertaining to life. The Scripture is profitable to make us complete in all things, and this includes how we are to transition the body after death. Let us remember upon the creation of mankind that God made us in His image, and He repeated this revelation to Noah, “…for in the image of God He made man” (Gen 9:6). Paul later told us, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor 6:19-20)

A fundamental truth regarding the human body is founded on the understanding that it belongs to God, in life and after death. Our bodies were given to us by God, and we should be mindful in understanding that we are not our own. This physical body is special in the eyes of God, of which we discover that even the devil is fully aware, “But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about THE BODY OF MOSES…” (Jude 1:9).

Let’s consider that if our bodies are worthless after death, why would the devil want it? This is the same Moses that appeared to Jesus on the mountain when He was transfigured. Recall what happened to Jesus after He died and was taken off the cross. Please read the following:

“Now after these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, requested of Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came… So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the BURIAL CUSTOM OF THE JEWS.” (John 19:38-40)

Could you imagine our Lord and Savior being burned in a pile of rubbish, or on a pyre as depicted in the movies? The thought of this brings us to the main reason for the Christian burial as the foundation of our faith – the Resurrection.

“Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those WHO ARE ASLEEP, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring with him those who have FALLEN ASLEEP AS CHRISTIANS… For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thess 4:13-14, 16).

Did you catch those highlighted words? From the viewpoint of our Father in heaven, those who die in the Lord are asleep, which means that the grave is not a final destination space, and that death has no hold on the Saint. Jesus rose from the dead, and because He rose, this is the proof that we will rise from the grave as well. This presents to us a hope that the world does not know or understand. Jesus explained to us that those who are in the graves will come forth at the voice of the Lord (John 5:28). Thus, it is implied that the people of God are expected to be buried after death knowing that we will rise again to forever be with the Lord. Again, this is what separates us from all other people in the world.

“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Cor 15:42-44).

This article is not stating that the believer who chooses cremation has altogether sinned. However, I am declaring that the Spirit of God will bear witness to the testimony of Scripture that we are not to view our bodies as those who do not know God. We live with the hope of the resurrection, knowing that at the sound of the Messiah’s voice we will awaken, and come out of the graves with glorified bodies to forever be with our Lord. Let us comfort one another with this hope that is found only in Him.

We plan for many things in life, let us plan for our death as well. I am not convinced that the 80% expectation of Americans choosing cremation is based upon a financial factor alone, however it will come from a world view that is void of God and what His holy word reveals to the saint. I am confident that our God can bring forth beauty from ashes, notwithstanding I am also confident that it is our Father’s will for His saints to intentionally lay His children to rest, as seen from every single Believer in Scripture, and by those who understood the significance of the coming of the Lord.

I remind you that no one reading the Bible from beginning to end will draw a conclusion that God's people embraced the practice of burning the dead. In other words, cremation is not something that can be supported by Scripture. Are you confident that you will rise again when our Lord returns? If so, I encourage you to consider having your body laid to rest just as our Lord has expected us, as opposed to having it burned as the heathen do who know not God.

Shalom,
B.D.R.