We're Only Passing Through

 Daily Devotional - January 8

"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,
for all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life
is not of the Father but is of the world.
And the world is passing away,
and the lust of it;
but he who does the will of God abides forever."
1 John 2:15-17

The world system is contrary to the principles of the Kingdom of God. Those of the world are consumed with the principles of the world – pursuing its lusts, acquiring more things, gaining popularity, becoming wealthy, the lust for power or prestige – these are the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, the pride of life. Those loving the world are motivated by these. This is where their heart is. This is where their treasure is.

Those living in the Kingdom of God are motivated by the knowledge that we're only passing through. They realize that our life here is boot camp, the learning ground, the testing ground, the maturing ground. They are motivated by surrender to Christ and following him. As it says in Ecclesiastes 3, God has placed eternity in their hearts.

Jesus enlarged on this principle, to show us where our heart, our focus, should be if we desire to walk with him.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy
and where thieves break in and steal,
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys
and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-21

This life is short. Let our focus be on what is truly important, eternity.