Last Saturday, my father died.
When a saint dies, death has no claim on them. Instead, each one is another victory obtained through our Lord Jesus Christ who raised from the dead to give eternal life to all who believe (1 Cor 15:57). Thank God for his unspeakable gift!
Every death is a reminder of how little hope we have in our flesh. The moment his flesh failed for the last time was the moment his mortality was “swallowed up of life” and he “put on immortality” (1 Cor 15:53; 2 Cor 5:4). Death is swallowed up in victory!
His life in the flesh was an example of faithful service in our church. You might have seen him behind the scenes at seminars, behind the booths at fairs, behind a printer making tracts, or behind the auditorium teaching the children. He was behind many things in our ministry.
You did not see him behind the pulpit, but without faithful workmen like him, church ministry does not exist. His loving labor for the will of God will be remembered as a testimony for others to follow in his place. We thank God for him.
Now, he is not behind us in anything, but stands before the Lord enjoying the riches and gain Paul spoke of being with Christ (Phi 1:21). He is living far better days.
Brother Curtis Johnson was not “out front” in our meetings but was instrumental in building and maintaining this ministry. We do not yet know the full impact that his service will have on souls and saints for eternity. We remain to finish the work.
Many faithful brethren have lived and died throughout the centuries without so much as a mention and a memorial service. As we learned in last weekend’s seminar, by the grace of God, we can look forward to the judgment seat of Christ where every man’s work shall be made manifest, and we will all celebrate the work we were able to do together with God. Glory!
The greatest work done in him was done by the Lord when he saved his soul through the gospel of His death, blood, burial, and resurrection (something Curtis frequently mentioned). God’s grace proves sufficient once again.
It was a joy to walk with him in likeminded faith. What a greater joy it will be to see him again in glory. What we hope for, he now sees. We rejoice in this, setting our affection on the things he enjoys today.
As an ambassador of Jesus Christ, he has returned home.
As a fellow soldier he will be missed in the battle.
As a father his pattern will be followed in love.
As a brother in the Lord, we look forward to sharing eternal communion with him in Christ.
He reached his mark, but we continue to press toward ours.
Resting in the certain victory of Christ,
Justin Curtis Johnson
On behalf of his fellow laborers at Grace Ambassadors Bible Fellowship
