Facing the Gray Areas

Your neighbor, Ted, is dying of cancer. Ted and his family are all Christians. One of his daughters has come to you with a question: "Dad has less than two months to live. He told us yesterday that he wants to be cremated when he dies. Some of our family members feel a Christian shouldn't do that. What do you think?"
As you search your mind for an answer, you wonder what God says about your neighbors' situation. What can you tell Ted's daughter?
Receive
When you go to your Bible, you find it doesn't offer specific guidelines on the subject of cremation. The Jewish custom was to bury their dead (Genesis 25:8-10, 1 Kings 2:10, Matthew 14:10-12, Acts 8:2). The body of Jesus was entombed (Luke 23:50-54) and burial either in the ground or in a tomb has been the traditional custom for Christians as well.
On the other hand, the Bible also tells us that the bodies of lawbreakers were sometimes burned (Joshua 7:15-25). In addition 1 Samuel 31:1-13 says that the body of disobedient King Saul was burned. But we can't forget, however, that so were the bodies of Saul's sons including the body of his godly son Jonathan.
Considering all this, you probably realize that Ted's family is facing what is referred to as a "gray area" in Christian decision making. The Bible doesn't lay out a black and white rule about cremation; it doesn't say "do" or "don't," "right" or "wrong." Yet this family faces a decision that must be made.
What should you do when you have to determine what to do about one of these "gray areas?"
Reflect
The issue of cremation must be decided in the same way that other important decisions are reached. The Bible doesn't tell us exactly what to do, but here are some biblical principles to follow when you don't find clear statements for or against a matter. Look up each of the following verses.

• Pray earnestly for God's direction (Psalm 25:4-5; Luke 6:12-13).
• Be sure the decision you make will produce results consistent with the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the glory of God (1Corinthians 10:31).
• Seek out and listen to godly advice (Proverbs 12:15).
• Write out the pros and cons of each alternative and choose the best (Philippians 4:8).
• Make the decision (James 1:5-8).

Respond
You or someone in your family may face the question of cremation some day. What do you think about cremation for Christians? Putting the above principles into practice, list all the thoughts you have for and against the practice, then write down your conclusion.
When Paul is dealing with another gray area (the celebration of special days), he concludes: "Let each be fully convinced in his own mind" (Romans 14:5). Whatever decision you make, give others the right to be "fully convinced" in their mind even if they come to a different conclusion than your own.