Dear Ones:
One of the great characteristics of this Life to which we are called to live is that it is eternal. What does this mean to us? Certainly, we come face to face with that which will endure, last, never grow old, or fade in its essence or purpose. Now, contrast that with the temporal…that which is passing away, growing old, turning to dust, and will not continue to exist. The soul of us all is eternal, for it will forever live on. But we must ask ourselves the question, “What about the soul’s purpose, the reason for its existence?’ And here, we have no other answer than to look at the living Christ, and pray, “What is Thy mind, Thy will…May Thy will be done in earth (in us) as it is in heaven.” The will of God stands paramount in the design, and purpose of God. John wrote: “….and the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 Jn. 2:17) So that, we are all confronted with this consideration: “What is the will of God for my life, this life which He has given me, and this LIFE to which I (we) have been called to know?”
Jesus spoke concerning a “wide gate,” and a “broad way,” which most people are engaged upon. (Matt. 7:13) He later used the illustration of different types of soils (conditions of heart…) upon which the “seed” of the Word of God is sown. One of the soils is shallow. Another has a lot of obstructive stones. Another is overgrown with thorns. But there is one that He declares “good.” The good soil is not dominated by what the dictates of the “world” (the world system where man is at the center of all…). The cares of the world have been cast aside, along with the deceitfulness of things, possessions, and riches. The good soil receives the word, and understands it because it is willing to believe and obey it. The result is fruitfulness…eternal fruit. The more we believe and obey the Christ of the Word, the more fruit is born…and it will last.
If we attend a large sporting event like a football game, the number of ideas in each one’s mind will be as numerous as the individuals present at the game. But there is one IDEA that will certainly last, and it is the knowledge of the will of our Maker and Redeemer. After the resurrection, Jesus, for a third time revealed Himself to the disciples on the shore of Galilee. In this encounter, He addresses Himself to Peter, and asks him one question three times: “Do you love Me?” Why does Christ do this? Some say it was because Peter denied him three times. Others say that it was because the Lord wanted to make the point to Peter that in and of himself, he could not love Him. But let’s look at His question on the merit of the fact that He asked it THREE times. Why? If we take the whole testimony of Scripture, we find that love is paramount to all else. Indeed, it is the key to “following Christ,” even if it means doing so alone. It is also the key with regard to singular devotion in a world of distraction and obstruction…a world where most folk are not following Him, and where the humanistic world system is not favorable to the things of God. So, what does all this boil down to?
It means that, we too have to answer the question that was posed to Peter, “Do you love Me?” There is a simple answer, and a simple commitment. But it is a singular one, one that touches our whole existence. It is an eternal one.
Again, David Livingstone’s words are so applicable to this subject: “…I want my life to count for Christ, what’s done BY Him will last.”
Love, Dad