“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.[b] 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” 1 Peter 1.22-24
Consider these questions: How many people do you know from 500 years ago? Two hundred years ago? One hundred years ago? Do you know their names? Accomplishments? Achievements? Successes? History books are filled with incredible individuals who contributed to every aspect of society. We are now enjoying advances in civilization and technology because of those who went before us. Yet for the most part we don’t even know their names.
As Peter writes to the people of God, he does so by quoting Isaiah 40.6-8, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” Although many people have done incredible things, Peter says their glory (accomplishments, accolades) are like fading flowers. A flower is awesome in the moment of full bloom but after it hits its’ climax, becomes an eyesore to the viewer.
Peter is making the point that eternity matters. It matters more than what we do in the moment or what we create with human hands. For example, a young pastor named Jarrid Wilson died when he took his own life yesterday. Apparently he had a great big successful megachurch, a beautiful wife and kids. Yet it immediately began to fade when he gave in to depression. It’s terribly sad and I am praying this morning especially for his wife and family.
Yet it doesn’t change the point that our lives are like fading flowers. But the word of God endures forever! This is the good news. And we are born again spiritually not from a seed that will spoil but from one that will endure. And our new birth comes through the “living and enduring word or God,” which lasts forever. This means, we will last forever. Our spirits, our souls, even our bodies will be made new and resurrected with Christ. We won’t be able to take our houses, book deals (my own desire!) or trophies with us, but those things don’t really matter anyway. What matters is God’s love for us and our love for him and others.
This is the hope we have — eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Why not invest in things that are eternal since things that are temporary will not last anyway.
“O Lord God, thank you for this day, for life, for liberty and for freedom in you. Thank you for the Kingdom of God which is among us, unseen realms of glory which will one day be revealed by your return. Come now, Holy Spirit, send your angels around your people. Draw us to yourself. Strengthen us in days of trouble when evil opposes your purposes. Come now, Beautiful Lord, help me walk in newness of life and in the power of your Spirit. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen