17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
The world is passing away. Its passing is depicted here as an ongoing process. Nothing in this world is permanent and sure. Our experience on earth is one of constant uncertainty and ruin. So Jesus cautioned us in Matthew 6:19, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal”. No reasonable person would lay up treasure where moth and rust destroy and thieves break through and steal, would he?
The material world around us would soon be no more. A fiery end is predicted concerning the world and all that is in it. 2 Peter 3:7, 10 says, “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men... But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” Since everything in this world is rushing towards a calamitous fiery furnace and will end up in flames, is it not asking for heartache and misery if you set your heart on it?
Not only is the world passing away, but also the lusts thereof. 1 Corinthians 7:31 also reminds us of this fact when it says, “the fashion of this world passeth away.” So if you cherish the philosophies, trends and pursuits of the world, all of your passions shall also pass away with them. You will lose not only your treasure, but also your soul. If you love the world, it will pass away and take you with it.
Would you buy the stocks of a business that is heading for bankruptcy? Would you think of spending a day relaxing on a sinking ship? Would you want to dance the night away in a nightclub that is on fire? So, if you are pursuing a worldly kind of living, be forewarned of your sure destruction.
Let us take note that only “he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever”. Doing God’s will, first of all, involves avoiding the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride in possessions of this life. Secondly, it involves obeying His Word that endureth forever. So, let us put away worldliness that distracts us from delighting in things that abideth for ever, even God’s will. Let us rejoice to do His will as children of His eternal kingdom.