“… 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 for ever …
(1 Peter 1:24-25)
This was the thrust of John the Baptist’s preaching (Cp.Isa.40:6-8). James also speaks of those who are rich in the things of this life: “ …as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth. So also shall the rich man fade away in his ways” (Jas.1:10-11). The life of human kind is transient, and not immortal (as the churches teach): “What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (Jas.4:14).
Humans, by their very constitution are sinful, weak and dying creatures. No man can save himself from his innate mortality and overcome sin in the flesh. Rather than being essentially immortal, the human soul cannot be saved by the endeavours of men: “none can keep alive his own soul” (Psa.22:29). By contrast, the Word of God “endureth for ever”. It logically follows therefore, that if we also wish to abide for ever, we need to incorporate that Word into our thinking. It is a stimulating and preserving influence upon the mind, causing it to become dominated by spiritual thoughts, as distinct from the carnal mind, dominated by fleshly thoughts. The Word of God is thus a powerful thing: “it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” (Rom. 1:16).
When the Lord comes again to judge the living and dead (2Tim.4:1), we need to ensure that there is something within us that is worthy of perpetuation into immortality. We must have the incorruptible Word influencing our heart and minds and ways, for only then can we inherit life with our Redeemer – but by contrast, we neglect that Word at our peril!
Christopher Maddocks
