17 “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1st John 2:17 (ESV)
When I was a young man, I heard someone say, “Never deny the obvious!” I do not remember who said this, but I have never forgotten their words. It is obvious that the world is passing away. I have no idea when the Lord will return, or when this present world will pass away in fervent heat; but, I do know, because the Bible says so, that it will pass away one day. In the meantime, we are passing away! Last week my first cousin passed away. Today, I have been asked to pray for a dear Sister-in-the-Lord who is in the last hours of her earthly journey.
This world and all of us in it are passing away. In this little Book, John tells us that even though the world is passing away and though our present bodies are also passing away, those who do the will of God will abide forever! In the context of 1st John, “doing the will of God” refers to repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. If we do this, we will abide with Jesus in Heaven forever!
10 "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?" 2nd Peter 3:10-12 (NKJV)
What manner of persons ought you to be..? Beloved let us consider this word carefully! What manner of person ought we to be in light of the fact that this world is passing away?
We ought to be faithful, fruitful, and filled with the Holy Spirit! Grant it, O Lord!
