1 John 2:15-17 says...
Today's verses are 1 John 2:15-17, which read,
v.15 - Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him.
John introduces another test of the genuine Christian and I can't help but think that Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6.24 which reads,
"No one can serve two master; for either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."
Does the disciple sound like the teacher here? John is making another statement that involves just two sides. It is either one way or the other. What is a love of the world and the things in the world? I think the key word to look at here is not "world" but the word "love." The word used here for love is the highest level of devotion to something or someone. John is not saying that we should not take care of the world because that would go against what God told Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. We are to take care of the world but the world is not to be our god to give "I do" type of love to.
v.16 - For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father but is from the world.
John goes on further to give definition to what he means by the world. "Lust" is a strong desire for evil things. We live in a world that appeals to our flesh and to our eyes in very negative and evil ways. We also live in a world that promotes pointing our fingers at ourselves and how great we are rather than pointing our fingers toward God and how great and awesome He is.
God says that our very physical lives are to be living sacrifices of holiness. God says that our eyes, minds and hearts are to be focus on what is right and what is true and what is holy. God says that we are to be servants of all. What God says is much different than what the world is saying and promoting.
v.17 - The world is passing away, and also its lust; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
John just keeps piling on the ways that God and the world are different. He wants us to do this side by side comparison so that we will come to the conclusion that there is no contest here. Why would we follow "that" when we could follow "Him?" The world is passing away but God has said that His words would never pass away and actually that they will all come to pass, even the words about the world passing away.
"But" is the key word of this section. It gives you the laser pointer of where to focus. If we do the will of God and the only way to do the will of God is to "be" one of His children, we will live beyond what we see and what entices us to do what is wrong in God's sight. The world offers "instant gratification" that doesn't last but God offers "eternal life" that does. One is always there trying to excite you with something new that has another agenda to get something from you while the other is instructing you on something that is old that did something for you to show that He really loves you.
I probably could go on and on with comparisons here but I think John has made his point. The first two of the 10 commandments deals with no other gods and no idols and these statements of John fall in line consistently with them. How could we not see this and not obey it? How could we get so wrapped up in the world and the things of the world that we would divert our love of God to the love of the world? Questions that seem to have obvious answers but I think it shows us the power of sin and Satan and our sinful nature. We need a Savior that is more powerful to surrender to and follow. A genuine Christian keeps his eyes laser focused on God and His word.
"Lord, what is so obvious is so hard at times to follow through on. The instant gratification of satisfying ourselves covers up the words of You. Help me keep my eyes on You so that my eyes and my flesh and my attitude will show that I truly am in love with You and not the world. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.15 - Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him.
John introduces another test of the genuine Christian and I can't help but think that Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6.24 which reads,
"No one can serve two master; for either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."
Does the disciple sound like the teacher here? John is making another statement that involves just two sides. It is either one way or the other. What is a love of the world and the things in the world? I think the key word to look at here is not "world" but the word "love." The word used here for love is the highest level of devotion to something or someone. John is not saying that we should not take care of the world because that would go against what God told Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. We are to take care of the world but the world is not to be our god to give "I do" type of love to.
v.16 - For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father but is from the world.
John goes on further to give definition to what he means by the world. "Lust" is a strong desire for evil things. We live in a world that appeals to our flesh and to our eyes in very negative and evil ways. We also live in a world that promotes pointing our fingers at ourselves and how great we are rather than pointing our fingers toward God and how great and awesome He is.
God says that our very physical lives are to be living sacrifices of holiness. God says that our eyes, minds and hearts are to be focus on what is right and what is true and what is holy. God says that we are to be servants of all. What God says is much different than what the world is saying and promoting.
v.17 - The world is passing away, and also its lust; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
John just keeps piling on the ways that God and the world are different. He wants us to do this side by side comparison so that we will come to the conclusion that there is no contest here. Why would we follow "that" when we could follow "Him?" The world is passing away but God has said that His words would never pass away and actually that they will all come to pass, even the words about the world passing away.
"But" is the key word of this section. It gives you the laser pointer of where to focus. If we do the will of God and the only way to do the will of God is to "be" one of His children, we will live beyond what we see and what entices us to do what is wrong in God's sight. The world offers "instant gratification" that doesn't last but God offers "eternal life" that does. One is always there trying to excite you with something new that has another agenda to get something from you while the other is instructing you on something that is old that did something for you to show that He really loves you.
I probably could go on and on with comparisons here but I think John has made his point. The first two of the 10 commandments deals with no other gods and no idols and these statements of John fall in line consistently with them. How could we not see this and not obey it? How could we get so wrapped up in the world and the things of the world that we would divert our love of God to the love of the world? Questions that seem to have obvious answers but I think it shows us the power of sin and Satan and our sinful nature. We need a Savior that is more powerful to surrender to and follow. A genuine Christian keeps his eyes laser focused on God and His word.
"Lord, what is so obvious is so hard at times to follow through on. The instant gratification of satisfying ourselves covers up the words of You. Help me keep my eyes on You so that my eyes and my flesh and my attitude will show that I truly am in love with You and not the world. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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