June 27

and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away. — 1 Cor 7:31 BSB

Nothing is truly real unless it has lasting substance. Health fades, strength diminishes, beauty disappears, sight and hearing grow dim, the mind weakens, riches take wings and fly away, children die, friends depart, old age creeps in, and life itself ends. These transient things are mere shadows; they have no enduring substance. They support and comfort us during our journey through life, like daily food and clothing, but they stop there. When life ends, they end with it.

But real religion—the work of God in the soul—remains through death and beyond death. It accompanies us through the dark valley and lands us safely in a blessed eternity. It is the only thing in this world we can call real. Isn’t this what John testified? “All that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:16-17).

Who is that blessed person who lives when all else dies, who abides forever while others pass into outer darkness? It is the one who does the will of God. And how do we do the will of God? “This is the will of Him who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day” (John 6:40). If you have seen the Son and believed in Him, you now have eternal life, and Jesus will raise you up on the last day.