Thought for the Week

 

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims. abstain from fleshly lusts which war against your soul (1 Peter 2:11).

 

Isn't it great to be alive? I love this life and want to stay here as long as possible yet I also know that this world is not my abiding place and neither is it yours. We simply must understand that everything about us in this life, everything that surrounds us here is only temporary in nature, even our life. The life we now live is nothing more than a dressing room for eternity. We are mortals and as such the day is coming when in just a moment of time we will lay aside this earthly tabernacle and take that journey from whence we will not return (Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:1). While we have the opportunity, we had best be laying up for ourselves treasures somewhere besides this old sinful world (Matthew 6:19-21). Today as faithful children of God we travel a pathway that leads us to our eternal destiny. That destiny has with it an incorruptible crown, the crown of life, a crown of righteousness with a glory that will never fade away (2 Tim. 4:6-8; 1 Pet. 1:3-4; John 14:1-3).  Our hearts must be set on that wonderful city of God because that is the place we call home (Colossians 3:1-2; Heb. 11:13-16; Philippians 3:20).

 

The most important aspect of our lives today is not where we have been but rather where we are going. We don't have time to dwell on the past or even consider what might have been. Time is swiftly passing for each one of us and our eternal destiny is directly in front of us. "I press on toward the goal" should be the supreme aim of our lives (Philippians 3:13-14; Hebrews 12:1). I love the words of that grand old song that say: "Each step I take I know that He will guide me, To higher ground He ever leads me on. Until one day the last step will be taken. Each step I take just leads me closer home". With that thought in mind perhaps our theme song should be, "Just a closer walk with thee, grant it Jesus, is my plea. Daily walking close to thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be". To put off these rags of mortality and put on the robes of glory should be the earnest desire and expectation of each one of us. If we are truly pressing forward toward that high calling of God in Christ Jesus, then we can face the chilling hand of death courageously and with great comfort knowing that our God will give to us a spiritual body that will live forever (1 Cor. 15:19-22, 51-56). What more is there to say?

 

Charles Hicks