Scripture Wednesday - 1 John 2:17

Okay, it's not Tuesday, but yesterday was busy, so here ya go:

"And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

This world is temporal. It's not meant to last forever, and we see evidence of this all the time. Things decay

and break, things die. Indeed, "the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until

now" (Rom. 8:22). Granted, these things are part of the natural order of creation, but they still serve as

reminders that nothing in this world lasts forever.

  Yet the meaning of this verse is deeper than just the physical creation, as we can see from the context:

"15 Do not love the world or the things in the world.

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of

the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

17 And the world is passing away along with its desires,

but whoever does the will of God abides forever."- I John 2:15-17

In light of this, we understand that John is speaking of the corrupted world system that we live in, and also the sinful desires and cravings that permeate it. As Christians, this should give us courage, because we know that

the corruption and injustice that we often encounter in this world will not last. It may prosper for an age, but it

will fall on the last day. Also, the desires of this world are fleeting and vain, promising happiness or fulfillment,

and although they may seem to make good on those promises, they don't last. If you devote your life to gaining riches, neglecting your soul, your family, and your health, what use are they then? Sure, you can buy whatever you want, you can have lots of toys to pass the time with, but it's just a pile of icing with no cake to go on.

  So, if this world and all the cool stuff it has to offer can't be depended on, what do we do? We strive for

things eternal, to be in right standing with our Creator. The one who does God's will builds up treasure for him-

self in heaven, "where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matt. 6:20).

And he does this not to fulfill his worldly desires, which pass away, but because he has been born of God's

Spirit, delighting in Him and in doing His will, and because God delights in blessing those who fear Him. This

individual also lives forever to enjoy these blessings, and God Himself, not because he worked so hard to please

God, but because he put his trust in Jesus Christ, who is the only way to the Father.

  Let us therefore seek to do God's will, because He is the rock of our salvation that will never pass away!