AP

“Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds” (Ephesians 4:17).

Arthur Malcolm Stace (1885-1967) was a returned Australian soldier who served in in World War I and later became known as ‘Mr Eternity.’’ 

Stace grew up in an impoverished and broken family. His mother handed him over to foster care at the age of seven, and his sisters would end up working as prostitutes.

By the age of 14, Stace was an alcoholic. He would turn to booze to escape his pain and misery. However, all it did was increase the sorrow of his heart. This all changed in 1930 after Stace heard a life-changing sermon. 

At the age of 45, Stace’s heart was transformed after hearing a message preached by the Rev. R.B.S. Hammond at the men’s group on Wednesday 6^th of August 1930. 

Hammond declared that Jesus has the power to set us free from our addictions, and Stace received this power by faith in Christ. 

Hammond was famous for the text displayed on the noticeboard facing Broadway. One week, it read:

                  “Drink promises you heaven, but gives you hell!”

During this time, Stace also heard a message from evangelist John Ridley. Ridley wanted everyone to know that we will live forever, because this changes how we live today. 

Toward the end of this sermon, Ridley proclaimed:

“Eternity! Eternity!” Ridley cried. “I wish I could sound, or shout, that word to everyone in the streets of Sydney. Eternity! You have got to meet it. Where will you spend eternity?”

Stace was pierced to the heart by this message. Finding a piece of chalk in his pocket, he leant down and wrote ‘Eternity’ on the pavement outside.

During his lifetime, Stace went on to write the word ‘Eternity’ on the streets of Sydney over 500,000 times over a period of 35 years. 

For many years, no one knew who was writing ‘Eternity’ on the pavements. This was intentional. Stace did not care whether people knew who he was. All he was cared about was whether people had encountered the power of Jesus Christ. He deeply wanted them to know how eternity transforms the here and now.

Stace recognised that people who live for the ‘here and now’ will inevitably be miserable. Those who cling to this world for purpose, satisfaction, and joy fail to understand that we were created for another world. 

This world is a foretaste of the New Creation which God has prepared for those who love Him. Those who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ have been guaranteed a heavenly inheritance that will never perish or fade away.

Living in Light of Eternity 

An important question to ponder is this:

                  “Am I living in light of eternity?”

In Ephesians 4:17, Paul challenges Christians to ‘no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.’ The word ‘futility’ can also be translated ‘transitoriness’ or ‘purposelessness.’

Outside of Jesus Christ, life has no ultimate purpose. It is fleeting like the wind and passes by before our very eyes. Life without Jesus is a life of meaninglessness.

However, those who come to Christ are transformed into new creations. Because our eternity is secure, our lives have direction. Knowing the love of Christ, we do not need to find refuge in deceitful and fleeting pleasures. 

Rather, we are most satisfied when we life for our King, the Lord Jesus. He has given us everything we need to live a life that is not only pleasing to God, but satisfying and joyous.

Closing Prayer

Dear Father,

Forgive me for trying to find refuge from my sorrows by running to the things of this world. Open my eyes that I may see the freedom that comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Holy Spirit, help me to live this day in the light of eternity, knowing that my eternity is secure through faith in Jesus Christ my Lord.

In His Name I pray,

Amen.