Only What’s Done For Christ Will Last: Day 5

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” - 1st John 2:15-17

Where do your loyalties lie? We all live within this world, but that doesn’t mean our lives are dedicated to this world. John is given a command here. Do not love the world or the things in the world. Often we live in this world so we get swept away by the things of this world. We begin to be consumed by a status symbol, the comparison of external value, fall slaves to consumerism, chained to the comforts of convenience. When we love this world our gaze is fixed upon chasing every fleeting desire. The thing about desires is they often change. We may see and want one moment, but then the next we would rather have or do something else.

This is not just a good spiritual reality that John is speaking about. It is equally practical. When we live our lives focused on our desires and wants, our life amounts to nothing. There is no eternal gain. No eternal impression is left behind. The moment comes and goes. No more than a puff of smoke in the grand scheme of life and eternity. Our lives are that of a still small vapor in comparison to all of time that has passed, and all of time that will pass. Yet we throw ourselves at every small new thing this world comes up with.

Christ is timeless. Both in being and value. Jesus Christ has been forever, is, and will be forever. He stands outside the bounds of time. In our small fleeting lives, we can look back many years, and look forward and see that Christ is the same; always. The thing about running after this world is that it is slowly fading away. Everything we know eventually fades out, I mean who all remembers those Star Wars lightsaber spoons that came in cereals as children? Where are those now? Gone. Yet we saw and wanted them with passion.

Only what is done for the kingdom of God will last. C.T. Studd has a beautiful poem capturing this truth. Today remind yourself it is only what is done for Christ that will last. Give yourself to loving the Lord for that has eternal value.

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.