Things That Last

It was not so long ago that we celebrated Christmas.  We decorated our homes, sang songs, purchased gifts, ate food, opened presents, and enjoyed times of celebration with family and friends.  Have you noticed that some of the new things that you received for Christmas are changing?  They are beginning to fade.  They are not used as much as when you first received them. They have dents or cracks.  They are beginning to corrode.  They are outdated because something newer has come on the market.  Things in this world just do not last.  Since this is true, we ought to ask ourselves, “What in the world is going to last?”  The Bible points to two things.

1)      God’s Word will last.  Peter tells us, “For, ‘all men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.’” (I Peter 1:24-25). Reading, studying, and meditating on God’s Word is not only a good thing to do; it is imperative because in it we are told how God wants us to live.  Furthermore, we are also told specifics regarding what Scripture does for us.  The Bible says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17).  Scripture’s usefulness comes through instruction, reprimanding, improving, and teaching which is all for the purpose of helping us grow and be prepared for godly living. The Bible challenges us to, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).  This means that when we allow God’s Word to be engrained in our lives it will not only help us grow spiritually but we will also be enabled to help others.

2)      People will last.  The Apostle John reminds us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).  People were created by God to have fellowship with Him both now and in the future.  The disciple Peter tells us that “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9).  Therefore, we ought to be about the business of making sure that we have a right relationship with God and that other people have the opportunity to become part of God’s family as well.  John continues to say, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12).  It was Jesus who said, “I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life” (John 6:47). People are important and God wants them involved in eternity with Him.

So, the two things that will last are God’s word and people.  This should give us cause to think about an application question.  The question: “Where am I spending my time?  Is it with God’s Word and with people or with something that will not last?”  Take time to evaluate your life and your activities and then take appropriate action.

The Beginning and the End

For many people the month of March is both an end and a beginning.  It is the end of the long cold winter and it is also the beginning of warmer weather associated with spring.  It is interesting that the Bible also speaks about a beginning and an end.  The first words of Scripture tell us, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Both Jesus and the Apostle Paul spoke about the end.  Jesus said, “This is how it will be at the end of the age” (Matthew 13:49).

The Apostle Paul said, “Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power” (I Corinthians 15:24). In a Bible search you will find the words “beginning” and “end” used together in twenty-two different verses.  Most of these references have to do with something that starts and then comes to an end, such as the reign of a king.  However, when you get to the last book of the Bible you will find Jesus using both of these terms.  Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 21:6) He also said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:13).

So, what does Jesus mean by the words Alpha and Omega?  Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet – similar to our A and Z.  The idea of Christ being from A to Z means three things.

1)      Christ is Complete; there is nothing that He needs from any other source to complete who He is.

2)      Christ is Eternal.  He has always existed, and He always will exist.

3)      Christ is Authoritative.  He has creative power, sustaining power, and complete power over all things.

What does this mean for you and me?  The God who created all things and who exists throughout eternity has invited you and me into a personal relationship with Him, through His Son, Jesus Christ.  All we must do is to receive Him by faith and utilize the mighty power that He gives us to live a life that pleases Him. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Have you put your faith in this wonderful Lord who is the Alpha and Omega – the First and the Last?  Why not consider making that decision today?