From Creation to Eternity

A guy named Anonymous once said that our lives may be the only gospel some people will ever see. This week I haven’t been much of an example. My evil twin dropped in for an unexpected and unwelcomed visit. The two of us never get along. We have no tolerance for, much less anything good to say about, each-other. To make things even more tense, my family doesn’t like him either. In the quiet of the early morning I awoke thinking he had gone during the night, only to find him staring back at me in the bathroom mirror with that brazen audacity only he can muster! It’s hard to get him to engage in pray. He’s so unworthy of God’s patience and grace. Thankfully, today I managed to get him to read scripture with me, and that turned out to be a great elixir which shoved him right out of my mind’s door—the scripture spoke of purity and love and the enduring Word of God. Thank You, Father in heaven, for Your kindness and longsuffering.  Otherwise, what would we do?

“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: ²³ Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the [W]ord of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. ²⁴ For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: ²⁵ But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:22-25 (KJV).

Today’s passage is a powerful expression of God’s Love for His children dwelling in this godless, hostile world. On Earth all life, man and beast, flora and fauna, withers and passes away.  But we, secure in the love of God who poured out His own life for us upon the soil of the earth, are “Born Again” of incorruptible seed through Jesus Christ, the eternal Living Word of God (1-John-1-1).

God loves us individually, personally, intimately, unconditionally. He purchased each one of His treasured children with the most expensive, most precious gift He had to give  (1John 4:9).  Only a parent who has lost a child can come close to understanding how deep and precious God’s Love is for every individual who calls upon His holy name (Romans 8:32).  If God knew that you alone would be the only one on the whole of the Earth to come to Christ, He would have still personally, intimately, unconditionally, made that sacrifice just for you. He has always loved you and He always will. “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16 (KJV).

Love is God’s plan of salvation since before the world was formed. Love is His essence, ( John 3:16-17; 1John 4:8).He asks us to share His Love from a pure and fervent heart with our brethren and with a world that needs to know Him, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44 (KJV).

“ . . . preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:2 (NASB)

___________________________________

A sidebar: I was recently reminded of the incredible story of John Harper who gave his life pleading with drowning victims on the Titanic to come to Christ – “No greater love hath a man . . .”  If you aren’t familiar with the final hours and minutes of this saint’s life, here is a link  (John Harper).

Exploring Scripture~because it matters-it really does!