2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4 ESV, John 8:21-30 ESV, Psalm 111:1-10 ESV, Proverbs 15:11 ESV
Daily Verse: “He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” (John 8:23 ESV)
KOSMOS (2889): “Is first a harmonious arrangement or order, then by extension, adornment or decoration, and came to denote the world, or the universe, as that which is divinely arranged. It came to mean anyone not of the ekklasia (1577). The present condition of human affairs, in alienation from and opposition to God.[i]
Harmonious arrangement.
In its original form, world means harmonious arrangement, which seems in stark contrast to today’s circumstances. In the past 3,421 years of civilization, only 268 years have enjoyed peace, meaning no war anywhere.[i]
Over time, Kosmos came to mean the universe, divinely arranged by God. In today’s verse, world means the human affairs, not in alignment with God. In other words, man pursues his desires instead of God’s.
Jesus understood we couldn’t grasp the heavenly realms He comes from because we have earthly perspectives. If we don’t place our faith in Christ, following His commands, we’ll stay trapped in our sin. With Jesus, we can overcome the world.
Temporary troubles.
Nothing lasts forever in this world. One day, someone else will live in our house and drive our cars. The clothes on our backs will disappear, our physical bodies will die, and the world as we know it will end. But our spiritual life continues, one way or another.
Choosing Jesus means life continues in heaven, a place our human minds can’t fathom. Of heaven’s existence, I do not doubt. According to John Burke’s book, “Imagine Heaven,” an estimated 1 out of 25 Americans has had a near-death experience.[ii] Burke investigates real-life stories of people who have experienced both sides of the coin, heaven and hell. Reading this book will strengthen your faith in the afterlife, without a doubt.
The world we live in will one day fade away, but heaven never will. Jesus prepares a place for you when you believe in Him. In heaven, we will find a harmonious arrangement.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 144) Thomas Nelson
[i] Durant, W., Durant, A. (2010). The Lessons of History. United Kingdom: Simon & Schuster.
[ii] https://imagineheaven.net/
