The world is passing away right in front of our eyes. Everything we can see and touch in this physical life is temporary.
That new car you want will eventually rust. The house you are saving for will one day crumble. Even the latest phone or computer becomes outdated within months.
We live in a world that convinces us these things are important. But God wants us to see the bigger picture. While everything around us fades away, the things of God last forever.
The World Is Passing: Key Takeaway
- Invest in eternal things because worldly desires and possessions will all pass away.
Anchor Bible Verse of the day
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
— 1 John 2:17 (NKJV)
John writes to believers who live in a world full of temptation. The culture around them offers many things that promise happiness and satisfaction.
People chase after wealth, pleasure, and power with all their energy, neglecting Kingdom things.
But John reminds them of an important truth. Everything this world offers is temporary. It will all fade away. Only those who choose to do God’s will have something that lasts forever.
Key Explanations
- The world is passing away: All temporary, earthly things, including material possessions, pleasures, and achievements are destined to fade and disappear
- The lust of it: The intense desires and cravings for worldly things that pull our hearts away from God
- Does the will of God: Lives according to God’s purposes and commands rather than following worldly desires
- Abides forever: Remains permanently in God’s kingdom with eternal life that never ends
The World Is Passing: A Reflection
The world is passing away whether we want to accept it or not. When you look around at everything people work so hard to obtain, you realize none of it will last.
The fancy house will decay. The expensive car will break down. The beautiful clothes will wear out. Even our own bodies are aging and will eventually return to dust.
This is not meant to be depressing. It is meant to wake us up to reality.
Second Corinthians 4:18 supports this truth, and says:
We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Paul understood that the world is passing and taught us to focus on what lasts. The problem is that most people spend their entire lives chasing things that do not matter in eternity.
Think about how you spend your time. How many hours do you give to building your career, decorating your home, or shopping for the latest gadgets?
Now compare that to how much time you invest in prayer, Bible study, and serving others.
The world is passing, beloved, so we must be careful where we invest our limited time on earth.
Do you remember the story of the rich young ruler in Mark 10? This man had everything the world said was important. He had wealth, status, and he even kept the commandments.
But when Jesus asked him to give it all up and follow Him, the man walked away sad. Why? Because he valued temporary things more than eternal life.
He could not see that the world is passing and that everything he owned would mean nothing in the end.
Living with an eternal perspective means making different choices than most people around you:
- When your friends are spending hundreds of dollars on things they do not need, you are giving to people in need.
- When society says to live for pleasure, you are living to please God.
- When the culture screams, “Get more, buy more, be more,” you remember that the world is passing and none of those things will follow you into eternity.
This does not mean we should never enjoy good things or work hard.
God gives us many blessings to enjoy. But we must keep them in proper perspective.
- Do not love the world or the things in the world.
- Use what God gives you for His glory.
- Enjoy His blessings, but never let them become more important than Him.
The world is passing, but God’s Word stands forever. Invest in relationships that will last into eternity.
- Spend your money on things that advance God’s kingdom.
- Use your talents to serve others and point them to Christ.
Every choice you make should be evaluated through this lens: Will this matter in a thousand years?
Think about heaven and what awaits those who do God’s will. While the world is passing, God’s kingdom is eternal and unshakeable. Your rewards in heaven will never rust, decay, or lose value.
Your mansion in glory will never need repairs. Your treasures there will never be stolen or destroyed.
The world is passing, but God’s promises last forever.
Make a decision today to live for what lasts. Stop chasing the temporary pleasures and possessions that the world offers. Start investing in eternal things. Your time here is short, but your soul lives forever.
Do not waste your life on things that will burn up when this world passes away.
Blessings..!
Call to Action
- Evaluate where you invest your time and resources today, choosing to focus more on eternal matters than temporary worldly pursuits.
Make This Affirmation
- I choose to invest my life in eternal things, knowing the world and its desires are passing away while God’s purposes last forever.
Prayer Point for Today
- Eternal Perspective: Pray for wisdom to see beyond temporary worldly things and to live each day focused on what truly matters for eternity.
Let’s Pray
Our Father, help us remember that this world is passing away. Give us wisdom to invest our lives in things that last forever. May we live for Your kingdom rather than for temporary pleasures.
In the precious and mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
My prayer for you today: I pray that you live with eternal perspective today, investing in God’s kingdom rather than chasing the passing pleasures of this temporary world.
