By Drew Hyde
No one will survive forever in this world. The gradual decline of the human body will ultimately lead to physical death, if some accident, illness, malicious action of men, or the end of the world does not put an end to the worldly existence of an individual first. The treasures and works of this world will likewise waste away and ultimately be burned up (2 Pet. 3:10). The reasonable plea of God’s word is to look at the temporary state of worldly living and appreciate those things that are eternal. Though many focus on improving themselves physically and accomplishing worldly goals, 1 Peter 1:24-25 simply redirects all who will hear to the more important spiritual pursuits: “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” The contrast dramatically shows where true meaning can be found.
God has made the word available to all, that everyone might escape the corruption of sin and reap the eternal blessings of salvation. Peter reminded Christians that the word is just as important once they have received it as it was before they were converted. In fact, Christians should particularly appreciate and hold dear that eternal word: “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Pet. 2:1-3). Let all who have been baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27) put to death the worldly ways that lead to death (Col. 3:5-9) and hungrily take in that precious truth, “which is able to save your souls” (Jas. 1:21).