That Which Last Forever – some thoughts from the Edges – answering questions we won’t like the answer –

THAT WHICH LAST FOREVER
Pastor Calvin Cook
October 6, 2025

A few days ago, I was asked for an explanation of a few verses in 1 Corinthians 13:8-9. Not wanting to take these verses out of context, I have been looking at this whole section of scripture relating to what last forever and why it would seem that some things which God has given us would fail or cease. Are these verses an example of the centuries old verse “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” (Job 1:21 KJV) Being a reflection in the book of Job that we come into this world with nothing and we leave in the same way. But…. In the end the only thing that will remain will be God. To God be the glory !

The Apostle Paul expounds on these verses in 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 – take a look at these verses —
“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:8-12

Just a brief summary could bring us to a realization that God does give and take away, but the question remains why? If we have been given a gift, talent or passion to honor God and glorify God why would it cease. One answer could be that we are given specific gifts for a season and purpose and once that is fulfilled it is time to stand ready to receive and honor God through the new thing that God wants us to do. God never desires us to stay in one place but to continually grow and build and develop more so that we realize the greatest commandment which is “to love God with all of our heart mind and soul” with our everything. (Matthew 22:36–40, Mark 12:28–34, Luke 10:25–28.)

It brings me to a resolve and hopefully will bring us to an understanding of the Apostle Paul’s teaching that truly the only thing that we really need to have is a genuine, unfiltered, unadulterated love of God. Loving God, the same way that God has showed His love for us. The only thing that we will take into eternity. The eternal where all that has consumed us, distracted us, even enabled us will pass away – the one thing that will remain will be the love of God.

An important realization in this life will be not in what we have or don’t have, but in this love of God and loving others the same way God loves each and every one of us. We return that love, by keeping that love intact and following and keeping God’s direction and embracing a life of forgiveness and redemption.

Are we there yet, or will we ever be? – that will be realized when we come to meet Jesus face to face – standing in His presence and truly experiencing His heavenly glory.

A final thought would be this: I realized as I brought these thoughts together that this wasn’t just a simple explanation to a question of clarity that someone was seeking. It was God through the Holy Spirit drawing us back to consider what is important, what will remain, and what is eternal. I pray that I and all who read this realize what a holy love of God we all need in our lives.