Dust and Diamonds
Everything is temporary.
That sums up the verses in I John 2:15-17. As a Christian this verse gives me the hope of eternal life, but this morning, God revealed more meaning in this passage.
I thought of my kids as I read this. They see something on television and immediately say, "I want that." My automatic response is, "No," because I know that the next set of commercials will bring something else that is better. The insatiable cycle of wants never ends and is always a heavier burden than needs. But kids aren't the only ones who face these temptations. Adults face them too.
These temptations is adults have a higher price tag than with kids. We may go buy that big new television, or computer system because the commercials say we should. That begins to spin a web of debt and distrust to which many Americans have found themselves tightly bound. When the fleshly lust is left to it's own device, unwanted children end up caught in a crossfire of hatred and manipulation. Life altering health problems can arise, also. That one cookie suddenly turns into an entire bag, or that attractive person across the room becomes the objective of a physical conquest.
Society tells us to do whatever we want, whenever we want. Every moment should be pleasant and satisfying. That is contrary to God's word. Scripture preaches control. We should put our mind on more lofty things than a moment of pleasure. We shouldn't settle for dust to keep our hands full when we have diamonds waiting to fill them in heaven. We must keep on guard and keep our minds sharp and focus on what's to come. Because what's to come will never sift through our fingers like dust, but will fill our hands forever.
That sums up the verses in I John 2:15-17. As a Christian this verse gives me the hope of eternal life, but this morning, God revealed more meaning in this passage.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone (me) loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he (me) who does the will of God abides forever.
Everything in life is fleeting, including temptation.
Everything in life is fleeting, including temptation.
I thought of my kids as I read this. They see something on television and immediately say, "I want that." My automatic response is, "No," because I know that the next set of commercials will bring something else that is better. The insatiable cycle of wants never ends and is always a heavier burden than needs. But kids aren't the only ones who face these temptations. Adults face them too.
These temptations is adults have a higher price tag than with kids. We may go buy that big new television, or computer system because the commercials say we should. That begins to spin a web of debt and distrust to which many Americans have found themselves tightly bound. When the fleshly lust is left to it's own device, unwanted children end up caught in a crossfire of hatred and manipulation. Life altering health problems can arise, also. That one cookie suddenly turns into an entire bag, or that attractive person across the room becomes the objective of a physical conquest.
Society tells us to do whatever we want, whenever we want. Every moment should be pleasant and satisfying. That is contrary to God's word. Scripture preaches control. We should put our mind on more lofty things than a moment of pleasure. We shouldn't settle for dust to keep our hands full when we have diamonds waiting to fill them in heaven. We must keep on guard and keep our minds sharp and focus on what's to come. Because what's to come will never sift through our fingers like dust, but will fill our hands forever.
Have a great day.
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