O my son Absalom!
William MacDonald compassionately explores the grief of losing loved ones who may have died unsaved, urging believers to trust God's justice and mercy while maintaining hope and faith.
In this devotional sermon, William MacDonald reflects on the poignant grief of King David over Absalom’s death as a metaphor for the sorrow believers feel when loved ones die unsaved. He explores the hope of last-moment salvation and the importance of trusting God’s justice and mercy. MacDonald encourages believers to align their hearts with God’s perspective, finding comfort in His sovereign judgment and the gift of salvation through Christ.
Text
“O my son Absalom! my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Sam. 18:33)
Whether Absalom was a saved man or not, his father’s wail mirrors the grief of many believers who mourn the death of an unsaved relative for whom they may have prayed for many years. Is there any balm in Gilead for such an occasion? What is the Scriptural attitude to take?
Well, first of all, we cannot always be sure whether the person actually did die without Christ. We have heard of the testimony of one man who was thrown by a horse and who trusted Christ “Between the stirrup and the ground, he mercy sought and mercy found.” Another man slipped off a gangplank and was converted before he hit the water. If either had died in these mishaps, no one would have known that he died in faith.
We believe that it is possible for a person to be saved in a coma. Medical authorities tell us that a person in a coma can often hear and understand what is being said in the room, even if he himself cannot speak. If he can hear and understand, why can he not receive Jesus Christ by a definite act of faith?
But let us suppose the worst. Let us suppose that the person actually did die unsaved. What should be our attitude then? We should very clearly take sides with God against our own flesh and blood. It is not God’s fault if anyone dies in his sins. At stupendous cost, God has provided a way by which people can be saved from their sins. His salvation is a free gift, quite apart from debt or merit. If men refuse the gift of eternal life, what more can God do? He certainly cannot populate heaven with people who don’t want to be there, for then it would not be heaven.
So if some of our loved ones do go into eternity without hope, all we can do is share the grief and heartbreak of the Son of God, who, weeping over Jerusalem, said, “I would but ye would not.”
We know that the Judge of all the earth will do right (Gen. 18:25), so we vindicate Him in the punishment of the lost as much as in the salvation of repentant sinners.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Grief of a Father
- David’s lament over Absalom’s death
- The emotional pain of losing a loved one
- Relating David’s grief to believers’ experiences
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II. The Possibility of Last-Moment Salvation
- Examples of sudden conversions at the point of death
- The potential for salvation even in a coma
- God’s mercy extends beyond human understanding
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III. Accepting God’s Justice
- God’s provision of salvation through Christ
- The necessity of personal acceptance of salvation
- Vindicating God’s righteous judgment
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IV. Comfort in God’s Sovereignty
- Sharing Christ’s grief over the lost
- Trusting God’s perfect judgment
- Maintaining hope and faith amid sorrow
Key Quotes
“O my son Absalom! my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” — William MacDonald
“If men refuse the gift of eternal life, what more can God do? He certainly cannot populate heaven with people who don’t want to be there, for then it would not be heaven.” — William MacDonald
“We know that the Judge of all the earth will do right, so we vindicate Him in the punishment of the lost as much as in the salvation of repentant sinners.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Trust God’s justice even when grieving the loss of unsaved loved ones.
- Maintain hope in God’s mercy and the possibility of last-moment salvation.
- Align your attitude with God’s perspective, taking sides with Him over your own emotions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Absalom saved according to the sermon?
The speaker acknowledges uncertainty about Absalom’s salvation but focuses on the grief experienced regardless.
Can a person be saved at the moment of death?
Yes, the sermon shares testimonies and suggests it is possible to receive Christ even in extreme circumstances like coma or accidents.
How should believers respond to the death of unsaved loved ones?
Believers should grieve but also trust God’s justice and mercy, taking sides with God rather than their own flesh.
What does the sermon say about God’s judgment?
God’s judgment is righteous and just, and He will do right by all people, vindicating both punishment and salvation.
Is there hope for those who die unsaved?
While the sermon acknowledges the possibility of death without salvation, it encourages hope in God’s mercy and the possibility of last-moment repentance.