The Evanescent and the Enduring in Human History
1 John 2:17
And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God stays for ever.


I. Everything in WORLDLINESS is EVANESCENT.

1. The worldly man's possessions are evanescent. Though he has pyramids of gold they will pass away like a morning cloud.

2. The worldly man's purposes are evanescent. His great schemes are only splendid dreams which pass away in the waking hour.

3. The worldly man's pleasures are evanescent.

4. The worldly man's productions are evanescent. Architecture, painting, commerce, literature, legislation — what are these? A glaring pageant that passeth away.

II. Everything in GODLINESS is ENDURING. "He that doeth the will of God abideth forever." Such a man has received a "kingdom that cannot be moved."

1. His principles are abiding.

2. His possessions are abiding. No moth nor rust can corrupt his treasures. "The Lord is his portion."

3. His prospects are abiding. His hopes are not fixed on objects that are passing away, but on an "inheritance incorruptible," etc.

(D. Thomas, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

WEB: The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God's will remains forever.




The Abiding Life
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