Temporary or Eternal?

1John‬ ‭1:1-4‬ ‭- That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

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I've been hanging out in 1John. There is a wealth of wisdom here, as in any book of the Bible.

Jesus' disciples had the privilege of seeing and knowing Him, even doubting, like Thomas. They spoke of what they saw and knew. By word of the mouths that saw Jesus, this was passed on down through the ages. And all was recorded in the written Word. 

Today we are to believe and have faith in only what we have heard or read about...what we do not see. It's called faith...in Jesus Christ. This faith is an incredible gift that God gives to those who want it. Faith is eternal. It is trusting God for everything. Faith in what we see is fleeting. It won't last. 

Oh, the disciples saw, touched, heard and then declared the 
scripture above:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen anheard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

But because of their dedication and testimony here is what we can declare:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3)

I put my faith and trust in He who cannot be seen but can be known through the testimony of His Word. It's why I read it. It's a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, comfort and admonition. Without Him, without His testimony and admonition, we are trying to do life on our own, in our own strength and wisdom. Are we smarter than our God? 

In this world today we need as ever before that faith in what was written for our understanding, that we may have peace, the peace that only our Savior can bring. The peace He wants all to have through relationship with Him, which means faith in the unseen...yet which is revealed in and through His Word. It is my joy. 

I've heard more people comment that they would not want to be living today without this relationship with Jesus. To live apart from the one who provides the strength needed for any circumstance is unfathomable to me. Without Him there is no hope. And it is impossible to please God without that faith. Something to think about.

2Corinthians‬ ‭4:16-18‬ ‭- Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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