Living like Seasonal is Permanent
Living for Eternity: The Danger of Making the Temporary Permanent
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the here and now. We chase after success, accumulate possessions, and build our lives as if this earthly existence is all there is. But what if we're missing the bigger picture? What if we're investing too heavily in the temporary and neglecting the eternal?
The Bible reminds us that our time on earth is but a fleeting moment compared to eternity. Our physical bodies are likened to tents - temporary dwellings that will eventually wear out and be replaced. As 2 Corinthians 5:1 states, "For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."
This powerful metaphor should cause us to pause and reflect. Are we living as if this world is our permanent home? Or do we recognize that we are just "pilgrims passing by," as the old hymn says?
The danger lies in becoming too attached to the seasonal blessings of this life. Whether it's a successful career, a comfortable lifestyle, or even a fruitful ministry, we must remember that nothing on earth lasts forever. God may grant us seasons of abundance and favor, but we err when we try to make those seasons permanent.
Consider the words of 1 John 2:15-17: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."
This passage issues a stark warning against becoming too enamored with worldly pursuits and pleasures. It's not that we can't enjoy the good things God provides, but our ultimate affection and allegiance must be to Him alone.
So how do we live with an eternal perspective in a temporary world? The Apostle Paul gives us a clue in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Paul understood that to truly live for eternity, we must die to ourselves daily. Our old nature, with its selfish desires and worldly attachments, must be continually surrendered to Christ. This is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process of submission and transformation.
In fact, Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:31, "I face death every day." He recognized the need to constantly put to death his own agenda and live fully surrendered to God's purposes. This is the key to maintaining an eternal perspective in the midst of temporal pressures and pleasures.
But what does this look like practically? It means evaluating our priorities and choices in light of eternity. Are we storing up treasures in heaven, or merely accumulating wealth and status on earth? Jesus warned us in Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Our true treasure should be our relationship with God and the eternal impact we can have on others. This doesn't mean we neglect our earthly responsibilities, but rather that we view them through the lens of eternity. Our jobs, our families, our resources – all of these can be used to further God's kingdom if we maintain the right perspective.
Remember, we are citizens of heaven first and foremost. Philippians 3:20 declares, "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." This world is not our final home, and we should live with a sense of anticipation for what is to come.
At the same time, we must be careful not to use this truth as an excuse for passivity or disengagement from the world around us. We are called to be salt and light, to make a difference in our spheres of influence. The key is to do so with eternity in mind, recognizing that our ultimate allegiance is to God's kingdom, not earthly systems or institutions.
As we navigate this tension between the temporal and the eternal, we would do well to regularly examine our hearts. Are we clinging too tightly to things that will ultimately fade away? Are we neglecting the eternal for the sake of temporary comfort or success?
The story of a pastor who preached his final sermon and then died immediately afterward serves as a poignant reminder of life's fragility. None of us knows when our last day will come. This sobering reality should motivate us to live each day with purpose and intentionality, always ready to meet our Maker.
In light of eternity, many of our earthly concerns and worries shrink in significance. The promotion we're chasing, the house we're trying to buy, the status we're seeking to achieve – none of these will matter in the grand scheme of things. What will matter is whether we loved God wholeheartedly and served others selflessly.
So let us commit to living each day with eternity in view. May we hold loosely to the things of this world and cling tightly to the promises of God. Let us invest our time, talents, and resources in ways that will bear fruit for eternity. And may we eagerly anticipate the day when we will exchange our temporary tent for an eternal home in the presence of our Savior.
As we close, let's reflect on these questions: Where is your treasure truly stored? Are you living for the temporary or the eternal? What changes might God be calling you to make in light of eternity? May we have the courage to honestly examine our hearts and align our lives with God's eternal purposes.
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the here and now. We chase after success, accumulate possessions, and build our lives as if this earthly existence is all there is. But what if we're missing the bigger picture? What if we're investing too heavily in the temporary and neglecting the eternal?
The Bible reminds us that our time on earth is but a fleeting moment compared to eternity. Our physical bodies are likened to tents - temporary dwellings that will eventually wear out and be replaced. As 2 Corinthians 5:1 states, "For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."
This powerful metaphor should cause us to pause and reflect. Are we living as if this world is our permanent home? Or do we recognize that we are just "pilgrims passing by," as the old hymn says?
The danger lies in becoming too attached to the seasonal blessings of this life. Whether it's a successful career, a comfortable lifestyle, or even a fruitful ministry, we must remember that nothing on earth lasts forever. God may grant us seasons of abundance and favor, but we err when we try to make those seasons permanent.
Consider the words of 1 John 2:15-17: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."
This passage issues a stark warning against becoming too enamored with worldly pursuits and pleasures. It's not that we can't enjoy the good things God provides, but our ultimate affection and allegiance must be to Him alone.
So how do we live with an eternal perspective in a temporary world? The Apostle Paul gives us a clue in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Paul understood that to truly live for eternity, we must die to ourselves daily. Our old nature, with its selfish desires and worldly attachments, must be continually surrendered to Christ. This is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process of submission and transformation.
In fact, Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:31, "I face death every day." He recognized the need to constantly put to death his own agenda and live fully surrendered to God's purposes. This is the key to maintaining an eternal perspective in the midst of temporal pressures and pleasures.
But what does this look like practically? It means evaluating our priorities and choices in light of eternity. Are we storing up treasures in heaven, or merely accumulating wealth and status on earth? Jesus warned us in Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Our true treasure should be our relationship with God and the eternal impact we can have on others. This doesn't mean we neglect our earthly responsibilities, but rather that we view them through the lens of eternity. Our jobs, our families, our resources – all of these can be used to further God's kingdom if we maintain the right perspective.
Remember, we are citizens of heaven first and foremost. Philippians 3:20 declares, "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." This world is not our final home, and we should live with a sense of anticipation for what is to come.
At the same time, we must be careful not to use this truth as an excuse for passivity or disengagement from the world around us. We are called to be salt and light, to make a difference in our spheres of influence. The key is to do so with eternity in mind, recognizing that our ultimate allegiance is to God's kingdom, not earthly systems or institutions.
As we navigate this tension between the temporal and the eternal, we would do well to regularly examine our hearts. Are we clinging too tightly to things that will ultimately fade away? Are we neglecting the eternal for the sake of temporary comfort or success?
The story of a pastor who preached his final sermon and then died immediately afterward serves as a poignant reminder of life's fragility. None of us knows when our last day will come. This sobering reality should motivate us to live each day with purpose and intentionality, always ready to meet our Maker.
In light of eternity, many of our earthly concerns and worries shrink in significance. The promotion we're chasing, the house we're trying to buy, the status we're seeking to achieve – none of these will matter in the grand scheme of things. What will matter is whether we loved God wholeheartedly and served others selflessly.
So let us commit to living each day with eternity in view. May we hold loosely to the things of this world and cling tightly to the promises of God. Let us invest our time, talents, and resources in ways that will bear fruit for eternity. And may we eagerly anticipate the day when we will exchange our temporary tent for an eternal home in the presence of our Savior.
As we close, let's reflect on these questions: Where is your treasure truly stored? Are you living for the temporary or the eternal? What changes might God be calling you to make in light of eternity? May we have the courage to honestly examine our hearts and align our lives with God's eternal purposes.
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