Tuesday, January 2, 2018

"Eternal Entities, Temporal Temples"


"Eternal Entities, Temporal Temples"


    Human beings are eternal entities, presently dwelling in temporal temples.

    "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it… We have this Treasure in earthen vessels" (Ecclesiastes 3:14; II Corinthians 4:7).

    We naturally think in terms of time regarding ourselves, an appropriate perspective if we consider our bodies.  From that vantage point, we are either young, old, or middle aged.  In terms of our innermost being, however, time does not apply.  That part of us, the very heart of us, will forever exist, either in the presence of the everlasting God who made us, or away from Him due to the consequences of sin.  "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord," or "Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 25:21; 7:23).  Either way, we must perceive ourselves in terms of eternity rather than time, again, when considering who and what we most deeply are.

    I sometimes think of this when looking out at congregations as I preach.  Whether at schools where children look back at me with the bright eyes and vibrant energy of youth, or at retirement communities wherein many sit in wheelchairs, or at churches in which the middle aged comprise much of the audience, I try to remember the admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ: "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24).  The truth also applies when I look into the mirror.  Eternal beings, dwelling in temporal temples.  Every human being who ever lived still exists, and always will.  Unlike the God who dwells "from everlasting to everlasting," we had a beginning.   "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Psalm 90:2; Genesis 2:7).   We shall, however, have no end.  Again, "whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever," including His prime and primary creation: "God created man in His own image" (Genesis 1:27).  All who have been are, and all who are will always be.  The thought portends of joy or misery, depending completely on relationship to our Maker.  It is a most necessary remembrance, certainly for preachers, but no less for every believer who seeks to walk in Truth with God and people.

   Every pair of eyes into which we will look today gaze forth from an everlasting being.  I will refrain from suggesting any more implications of such Light both blessed and blinding.  The mere thought escorts us to places we must go, as led by the Spirit of God and the Word of God.  We must, however, consider this: the Lord Jesus Christ and our response to Him determines how we think about this issue, and whether the eternity that awaits all eternal entities will be spent in peace or perdition…

"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."
(I John 5:11-12)

Weekly Memory Verse
   Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.
(I Peter 2:6)
     

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