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Webster’s Dictionary defines forever as “a limitless time.” The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy defines forever as “a really long time. So long that you really can’t grasp how incredibly long it is but it’s just short of the average wait in a doctor’s waiting room.” I kind of prefer the Guide’s definition because at least that one gives you some perspective on the concept of something lasting forever. We hear claims all the time of products that will last forever or some kind of project you do in the community that’s going to last forever. The word forever is thrown around so much and often times it’s for things that may outlast us but most likely won’t be here until the end of time.
I can think of times that I’ve bought something that has a lifetime warranty because the product is going to “last forever.” I can honestly say that I do not have anything in my house that was bought because it was a “lifetime” product that is working as advertised. Whether it’s from overuse or bad manufacturing or incorrect use the products always seem to fail in one way or another and then when you try to return them for a replacement you’re told that the “lifetime” guarantee only applied if you used the product in a certain way. The phrase “certain restrictions apply” is more than just something a lawyer made up one night they felt there weren’t enough ways to try and cover their client’s collective backsides. So suddenly this “lifetime” product you spent your limited resources to buy is nothing more than a useless piece of metal or plastic that will either take up space in a cabinet or the trash bin.
Then…if you happen to find something that is truly a product that will last “forever”…you tell everyone about it. When your friends come over to watch Oprah or the NASCAR race you bring them into the room where the object is and say “look at what this thing can do” as you stretch the limits of the product’s usual tasks. The phrase “Hey! Watch this!” becomes a regular part of your vocabulary. It’s almost a compulsion that you have to show everyone this thing that will last forever and try to make them want to love it so much that they rush out and get one of their own. You wait for that e-mail or phone call that says “wow…I just bought one of those and you’re right! It’s wonderful!”
Well, I have some news for you…every single Christian reading this blog (or listening to the podcast) have some things that will last forever.
Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” 1 Peter 1:25 (ESV) says “the word of the Lord will remain forever.”
Now, I know that right now some of our more strict Christian brothers and sisters are getting a little upset thinking I’m comparing Jesus and God’s word to a Ginsu knife. Well, I’m not really because unlike the Ginsu knife which can dull or break, Jesus truly is forever! In reality, Jesus and God’s word are truly forever while anything this world provides or produces will eventually be burned away like chaff. Still…how often do we share Jesus with others in the same way we would share that Ginsu knife? How often do we take Jesus out and show what He can do on the same level as the “stuff” that is “forever?”
My guess is that it’s not quite as often once we get past the initial euphoria that comes with our salvation.
At first, when Jesus is new in our lives, we share him with everyone. We’re quick to give Him the glory and praise for the things that go well and we’re quick to tell people within whom our strength lies when time of trial face us. Then as we spend more time with Jesus a lot of Christians start to tone it down a little bit or they aren’t so quick to say “it’s Jesus” when something really great happens or they avoid uncomfortable situations they would rush into before because even though they know they should share the joy of Christ being with us forever they just don’t want to bother someone with it. I think particularly of times when someone is facing a trial in their lives because you’re afraid if you rush in and start sharing Jesus with words they’ll be turned off.
Remember that you can share Jesus without a word so there’s no excuse not to share Him as much as possible with other people. When you bring a sack of groceries to the family of a man who just lost a job you’re showing them Jesus. When you sit with someone who just found out they have cancer, you’re showing Jesus to them. When you send a message or e-mail to someone who just lost their grandfather saying you’re praying for them and their family, you’re showing them Jesus. You’re showing that Jesus is there forever to help them in their times of need and you’re doing it without really speaking a word to them. (Yes, my last example was written words but I hope you see my point.)
On top of that you have the word of the Lord which lasts forever to tell people about He who will last forever…Jesus Christ. Those words are never going to disappear and they’re never going to lose their truth. Isn’t it great to know in a world where the definition of what “is” is can be questioned and when truth is “subjective” that we have something that is truthful and never wavers no matter how often someone may try to come against it?
So why don’t we share the things we have that are “forever”…Jesus and God’s word…like we do the “stuff” of this world.
Oh, I almost forgot. (Well, not really, but it makes for a dramatic part of the blog.) If you have accepted Christ as your savior, you will live forever as well. Perhaps we should share ourselves with others as an example of God’s word (which lasts forever) telling us in Romans 6:23 (ESV) “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (who also is forever.) It’s just a thought.
