Temporary situations result in permanent solutions!

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17).

Rodney Dangerfield, an American Comedian, said, “Life is full of temporary situations, ultimately ending in a permanent solution.” Gautama Buddha said, “All life is temporary, why worry about anything that’s only temporary.” Lou Reed summed up like this, “It’s just a temporary thing.”

Why do most people have this thought of a temporary world and its shallowness and vanity? It appears, we all somehow know deep inside, that everything in the world and all its desires we crave after are temporary and would never satisfy us.

Bible continually reminds this truth in its pages. Bible says God created all and it was all good and perfect. But due to the entrance of sin into this world by Adam and Eve, the whole world is tainted and corrupted by sin. Read Genesis 1-3 to understand what happened to this world. Ever since the entire creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth until the day of liberation from its decay and bondage. There is a day of freedom coming up when the world and we will be free from its corruption.

Solomon, the wisest man ever lived on the face of the earth, after enjoying lavishly all this world could offer him finally made this statement, “I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). He enjoyed every pleasure and luxury this world could ever offer. But he says all are just vanity and striving after wind. Then he gave wise counsel as a conclusion of the matter. “Fear God.” And it means doing God’s will because this is the duty of all humankind. (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

“If you are a grown-up person, I am almost sure you have already figured out this, don’t you? I loved my father, and when I go back to the neighborhood I was born and grown, I have an empty and weird feeling. The roads that I walked with my father and mother are still there with a different look though, but the people I loved and cherished are no more. Many of the roads and cities also changed drastically. God reminds us again and again, this world and all things in it are temporary when compared with eternity. Eternity does not end. It is continuous forever and ever. We have a deep desire for eternity, don’t we? It is because the Bible says, “He (God) has set eternity in the human heart.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). He sealed it in our hearts. However, in contrast to eternity, the world and things we desire in this world surely pass away and end one day. We are also temporary because we all die one day. Bible says in Psalm 90:10, “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.”

Today’s insight says,” The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” In contrast to the temporary nature of this world and its desires, the Bible reminds us “ the one who does the will of God abides forever.” If the Bible promises one who does the will of God lives forever, what is the will of God that I should do to live eternally? People asked this question all through the centuries. Bible answers this question without any shadow of doubt in John 6:40 what is the will of God that I should do to live forever? Jesus Christ directly answered this question. Listen! He said, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

Let us read this verse and break it into two parts. God’s will that makes you one hundred percent eligible for eternal and everlasting life is this:
• “Everyone who looks to the Son.” (Jesus Christ)
• “And believes in Him (Jesus Christ) shall have eternal life.” Did you notice the absolute surety- “shall have eternal life?” Did you also notice “everyone”?  It does not matter who you are. Anybody can get eternal life if he or she looks to Lord Jesus and believe in Him as Savior and Lord.

This is the first and foremost will of God concerning people for the assurance of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Bible says, look to Jesus Christ and believe Him as our savior and Lord. Jesus is the savior who died for all of our sins. He is the only way to eternal life. Listen! God has dropped only one lifeboat from heaven for us to get saved.

Does God have other subsequent wills for your life? Of course, He has! He has other wonderful plans and purposes for you. However, the primary will of God for you is to look to His Son, Jesus believe in him, and thereby receive eternal life.

Got a moment for today’s prayer: “Father in heaven, I know this world and its desires will come to an end soon at the time of my death or when the doors of eternity open up. I believe if I do your will, I will live forever. I look to the Son of God, Jesus, and believe He is my savior and Lord. Please save me. In Christ’s name, I pray, Amen.”

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