Things That Abide
Circumstances and surroundings determine, or at least shade our thinking. Our thinking is an index to what we really are and motivates and directs our actions. Because of this we should take a closer look at our circumstances and surroundings, lest they become too great an influence on our lives. In this life we are surrounded by things that are passing away. Things that are transit, temporal, material and perishing. Kingdoms rise and fall; loved ones live and die; riches and prosperity come and go. We are healthy today but tomorrow finds us bed-ridden with pain and disease. That which today seems stable and secure crumbles and falls tomorrow.
In a world of instability and insecurity, man longs and looks for something firm, stable, immovable and that will abide. We need something to which we may cling, knowing that neither the storms of life, nor the ravages of time can uproot and sweep it away. To seek security and stability among the material, temporal things of life is like a drowning man grasping the empty air. To depend on our own strength is vanity. To place our trust in worldly security is a delusion which fades with the shades of adversity and is engulfed in the darkness of despair.
But thanks to an everlasting, immovable and unchanging God; there are things which provide security that is just as imperishable as God himself. Why should one place faith in man or materials when Jesus Christ is ever present? Christ was with God in the beginning. Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I am...." (John 8:58) Paul states, "And He is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Col. 1:17) "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today and forever." (Heb. 13:3) One may, with perfect confidence, place his faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of the Living God.
History is replete with examples of sad failure of man seeking to devise a way of life for himself. And we are reminded of a statement from the prophet, Jeremiah, "0 Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." (Jer. 10:23) The Wise man, Solomon, said, 'There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Pray. 16:25) This points up the fact that man needs a Divine guide. A guide that will not have to be changed from year to year. A guide that is eternal. We have such a guide in the abiding word of God. "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, but the word of our God shall stand forever." (Isa. 401) The apostle Peter said, "Being born again.... by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever." (1 Peter 1:23) God's word has won its way through the ages. It has come forth victorious over the onslaughts of all enemies and stands supreme today as eternal truth. Man needs such a text book in these trying times. Only the principles taught in God's abiding word can dispel the clouds of confusion, fear and war, which hover so ominously about us. Only a study and acceptance of God's word will give us an abiding faith, which is so essential to our happiness and well being while we travel the treacherous pathway of life.
This abiding guide will lead us into that immovable kingdom of Christ. Those who were members of the church are said to have been translated into the kingdom of his dear Son. (Col. 1:13-14) This kingdom is abiding and never shall be destroyed. (Dan. 2:44) Paul affirms that it cannot be moved. (Heb. 12:28) "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and fear." As has already been pointed out, to be in the kingdom is to be in the church; therefore Paul said, "Unto him be glory in the church by Jesus Christ throughout all ages, world without end." (Eph. 3:21) Yes, the kingdom or church of Christ will last throughout all ages, world without end.
Now let us consider the fact that there is a part of man that is the offspring of God (Acts 17:29) and that God is the father of our spirit (Heb. 12:9) that our soul cannot be killed by man (Matt. 10:28) and that this part of man goes back to God. (Eccl. 12:7) God is not willing that any man should perish (2 Peter 3:9); therefore He has provided an everlasting Saviour in His Son Jesus Christ. This unchanging Saviour has given the world an unalterable plan of salvation which is revealed in the abiding and everlasting word of God. This plan of salvation is designed to save man's eternal soul. James exhorts, "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. (Jas. 1:21) Jesus said, "For what is a man profited if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what would he give in exchange for his soul? (Matt. 18:26)
Look not to the perishable things of this life for true happiness and joy. But rather look to the eternal God; follow the instructions of His abiding word; placing your faith in the unchanging Saviour. This is done by confessing your faith in Christ as the Son of God. (Matt. 10:32) Repenting of your sins. (Acts 17:30) And being baptized for the remission of sin. (Acts 2:38) You will be raised to walk a new life. (Rom. 6:3-5) Thus, being baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27) you will be a "new creature," (2 Cor. 5:17) live a faithful life in service to God and you can look forward to the home of the soul, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, whose builder and maker is God.
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