1 Peter 1:23-25 KJV Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (24) 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: (25) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
I was about nine years old when the words above were indelibly set in my heart and mind. I remember exactly where I was and how I'd felt. My classmates and I were walking outside toward our cafeteria building, which was separate from three other buildings at my elementary school. Spring had arrived and I'd noticed the Easter lilies in bloom along the sidewalk. Suddenly I recalled the verse and the power and 'awful' truth of it echoed in my soul. The first time I'd heard it was at my grandmother's church, the night before, as the pastor had preached.
Attending her church made an everlasting impression on my young heart. The presence of God that I felt and saw in the saints every night gave me a hope and hunger for what they possessed. And during the sermons(they were called messages) I learned the true gospel of good news. Yet, I also learned that this world will come to an end. Some will go the way of the grave and some will go when Jesus returns. Everyone will be judged by a righteous God.
John 5:28-29 KJV Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, (29) And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Like the flowers of spring we will fade and wither away one day. Our life is like a vapor that appears for a little while and then gone. Man's glory doesn't last. No matter how hard he tries to build his kingdom on earth it will pass away. In the area of southwest Virginia where I live, I have seen the following saying written with small stones on the side of a rocky hill(and as graffiti on a train underpass): "One Life to Live, When It is Past, Only What is Done for Jesus Will Last!" Only what is done for Him. For His Honor, His Namesake, His Glory.
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 KJV But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Human nature-or pride- cannot stand in the presence of God, though it's been tried. In Luke 18, the Pharisee prayed and declared his own self-righteousness. But the publican, without raising his eyes, said "Lord be merciful to me a sinner." God has no respect of persons. No matter how much we attempt to keep the law in our natural strength we can't become righteous from it. Neither does it matter to Him how many degrees or doctorates we have earned, how much strength or will power we possess, or how much money we have obtained or stored up. Paul said it best when he spoke these words: Galatians 6:14- But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJV Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: (24) But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
2Pe_1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Col_1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
2Thessalonians 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
