Whitney Houston passed from life to life eternal Saturday. I read one media report that stated she had just sung the children’s favorite, “Jesus Loves Me” a day or so before her death. And yes Whitney, He does. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Emphasis mine)

None of us want to be remembered as someone who lost our life due to a history of drug abuse. But life for Christians is a continuous battle between good and evil, the nature of sin and the indwelling Holy Spirit, and personal sin and forgiveness. 

Yes, Whitney Houston may be absent from her body, but she is present with the Lord. And this is a lesson that all of us need to understand. Whitney’s eternal future was not dependent upon her winning the battle with drugs. It was dependent upon her personal relationship with Jesus Christ, her Savior.

And although many will be quick to question that relationship, saying that her abuse of drugs is indicative of not having a true relationship with her savior. Let him who has not sinned cast the first stone. What’s worse, abusing drugs or having a prideful spirit that says “I would never do that?”  

As Christians, let us be the first to give praise to God who saved us while we were yet sinners, and that where sin increased, grace increased all the more. Goodbye Whitney. I look forward to hearing you sing Jesus Loves Me in heaven someday.