"Wakanda Forever" and RIP?

 Dear Saints

Chadwick Boseman, known for his role in the Black Panther movie as the king of a futuristic African Wakanda kingdom died last week of colon cancer at the age of 43. I have thought more about him and have learned more about him. Maybe because we share a common background as the great Bisons, Howard University graduates. But it’s more than that. 

What really caught my attention is the shock, surprise and hard to believe statements of many of us on the news of his death. What really is the surprise and shock? Is it that Boseman should not have died having played hero figure for many?; Or he died too soon or we don’t believe we ourselves will die? 

I started to read up about the real Boseman. Did he have a family? Did he believe and trust Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior? At this point of his death and our death, these are really the questions that matter.

In our continuing study today, apostle John points us to Jesus who has overcome for us and how we overcome in this world. Overcome means: "Defeat an opponent [Satan and Death] and prevail".  Let’s read 1 John 5:1-5:

"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. ² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. ³ For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 

⁴ For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. ⁵ Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

So did Boseman at the end overcome? I read of his Christian upbring and that he was baptized when he was young.  They said he used Bible references and spoke the “Christianese” language. Boseman gave a powerful speech at the 2018 Howard Univ. commencement where he encouraged graduates to pursue God given purpose instead of pursuing career and he quoted Jeremiah 29:11. Are these what makes one a follower of Christ and an overcomer?

As I put all of these together, I am trusting and hoping that Boseman made a faith commitment and trusted Christ and received the Holy Spirit. Otherwise it’s not going to be “Wakanda forever” which is the greeting in the Black Panther movie.

Many were expressing the usual, “May his soul Rest In Peace (RIP)”. That’s okay but too late a prayer and wish for Boseman or anyone who is dead. The Bible says, it’s appointed for us to die, and after which is judgment - Hebrews 9:27.

In previous chapter 4 of 1 John, we learned that God’s “perfect love casts out fear”. The cross is still the only place of experiencing true RIP. 

Instead of RIP at death, we must introduce people to Christ and His gospel while they are alive. Pray for them and trust that they will come to faith in Christ while alive. Praying RIP for the dead will never change their destiny if they did not have Jesus Christ in their heart already and had been “born of God” before death. Instead, pray that God will comfort the family of the deceased. They are the ones that need the prayers and hope to find and trust in Christ.

Let’s agree, according to this world’s standards, Boseman had accomplished so much in his short life. That’s what all are pursuing. But really?  “For what shall it profit a man [woman], if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul. (Mark 8:36). I would think Boseman had seen some large figures in his bank account than most will ever see in our lifetime. He had all the money and fame and according to Ecclesiastes it’s all meaningless without knowing God.

What am I saying to me and you? We all are going to die unless Christ comes today to take us all that believe and trust in Him. Please keep in mind that, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints" (Psalm 116:15).What then are we here for? First are you ready to die? Am I ready to die? What will God say to me upon transition from this life to the next?

Have you really overcome in Christ? Who around you would you help to know Jesus and believe in Him so they can overcome? Who will you be wishing false and fake RIP when they die but now you have a chance to help them Rest In Christ (RIC) and in Peace while they are living?

Lord thank you for choosing me to be “born of God”. Please help me to number my days and gain a heart of wisdom to live the rest of my life for your glory. Amen.

Friends it’s work time according Ephesians 2:10. Yes we have been saved by grace through faith but let’s go forward and do the good works for which God has saved us for to his glory. Amen.

“Wakanda Forever” and RIP?  Eternal Life in Christ Forever? You decide!

Lord, please comfort the Boseman family; his wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, his mother and extended family. Lord, please comfort all that grieve and mourn today and grant them hope in Christ and to trust you as their Lord and Savior. Amen.

 “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world”