Only the Eternal is Important

(J. R. Miller, "Counsel and Help" 1907)

"Set your minds on things above--not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2

Over the doorway of a church is the inscription: "Only the eternal is important".

There are a great many things which are not worth our while to do. Some of us spend our days in poor trivialities which bless no one, and which will add no luster to our crown.

Waste no opportunity.

Despise no privilege.

Squander no moment.

One hour lost will leave a flaw.

There is just enough time for you to live your life well--if you spend every moment of it in earnest, faithful duty. A life thus lived in unbroken diligence and faithfulness, will have no regrets when the end comes. Its work will be completed.

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
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We have published Timothy Shay Arthur's precious short story, "The Dying Child".
~Courtesy of Grace Gems~
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            A church in a nearby town was on fire, burning to the ground.  The town atheist was standing by watching.  One of the bewildered, grieving church members said to him, "First time I have ever seen you at church".  The atheist replied "The first time I have ever seen the church with any flame."
            This writer, world traveler, on a hillside outside of Rome, Italy, (and this is when I had sight) enthralled as he writes the tremendous number of steeples - crosses in view.  The apostle Paul would barely have believed such possible, imprisoned in the cistern seventeen feet below the ground writing his epistles. 
            But, it is the same in most of the world's large cities...cities marked by western civilization and the Christian church. Here, in the town in which I live, there is a church on almost every corner.
            I have often thought, what an unbeliever must think as he walks along the street looking at these large brick-stone edifices with their stained-glass windows: "What goes on in there?"
            If Christians, even pretenders, just church members, were truly different from the world - truly redeemed, truly wanting to share the message of Jesus, those on the outside looking in would want what those inside have.  Even for 2,000 years, this side of the cross, we have failed to be effective ambassadors. (2 Corinthians 5:20).  An ambassador always on his best behavior, proud of the nation - community which he represents.  The Christian community have not been very good ambassadors for the community of Christ. There is one thing that people, even children, recognize quicker than anything else...hipocracy.

            Why would not anyone with nominal intelligence WANT the blessings of creator God, in his life while alive here on earth, and then the splendor of eternal life?