Worldly Pleasure Will Pass Away, August 25

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him....RRe 239.1

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15, 17.RRe 239.2

There are lovers of the world, even among those who profess to be waiting for the Lord. There is ambition for riches and honor. Christ describes this class when He declares that the day of God is to come as a snare upon all that dwell upon the earth. This world is their home. They make it their business to secure earthly treasures. They erect costly dwellings, and furnish them with every good thing; they find pleasure in dress and the indulgence of appetite. The things of the world are their idols. These interpose between the soul and Christ, and the solemn and awful realities that are crowding upon us are but dimly seen and faintly realized.—Testimonies for the Church 5:456.RRe 239.3

If we would permit our minds to dwell more upon Christ and the heavenly world, we should find a powerful stimulus and support in fighting the battles of the Lord. Pride and love of the world will lose their power as we contemplate the glories of that better land so soon to be our home. Beside the loveliness of Christ, all earthly attractions will seem of little worth.—Messages to Young People, 113.RRe 239.4

“The world passeth away, ... but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”RRe 239.5

Better than all the friendship of the world is the friendship of Christ’s redeemed. Better than a title to the noblest palace on earth is a title to the mansions our Lord has gone to prepare. And better than all the words of earthly praise, will be the Saviour’s words to His faithful servants, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, 374.RRe 239.6