What In The World?

This week we are going to continue on the theme of 1 John 2. I love studying this book because the truth is as plain as day and raw. John basically writes in a way that says, “Wake up and smell the roses!” I tell the students I work with that this is a book that definitely will give you a swift kick in the spiritual butt. The next set of verses we’re going to discuss is ones that I find some of the most uncomfortable verses in the bible. When I am confronted with these, I still feel uneasy!

Again, remember the idea of this book is assurance and to exemplify what true fellowship with Jesus looks like. Written by the Apostle John, who was a first hand witness of Christ’s ministry, and is being led by the Holy Spirit. Look at 1 John 2:15-17:

“15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

Whoa! Wait, this seems kind of contradictory to what I’ve always heard. We are not to love the world? What about John 3:16

“16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

If God love the world, and we are His followers, why can’t we? How is His love not in us if He loved the world?… Truthfully that claim is way off base. God loves the world, the people of the world. God however DOES NOT love the ways of the world, the world system of doing things.  Last blog we looked at how God is light, there is no darkness in Him. This being said, I think we can all agree that that the way the world does things is covered by darkness.

John outlines these things in verse 16.

A. The Lust of the Flesh & Lust of the Eyes

“The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” Romans 8:7

Deep inside the nature of who humans are we have the desires of the flesh. In the context of this verse, these things can range from many things. Things like cars, jobs, women, men, food, sex, alcohol, money, drugs, ect… we have a desire to crave after things or ideas. We yearn to satisfy these cravings, yet misunderstand that they can satisfy us properly! Its in this state of mind that we become hostile to God! We don’t trust Jesus is sufficient so we are positioning ourselves at odds with Him.

B. The Pride of Life

“18 Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

Pride is a whole other issue. In fact, some would argue that the lusts we have come from our pride. Pride is the adoration or the worship of self. It’s the idea that we deserve the things we have and have the right to demand them of people. It means we place ourselves on Christ’s throne. We are the king or queen of our life. This comes at high price. A prideful person is also one that tends to feel crushed or confused when chaos or trials hit their life! In other words, the bigger their pride, the harder they fall.

With these in mind, it’s easy to notice that this is not God’s way of doing things. Rather, this is the world’s way of doing things. We have all felt these in our lives and know they never satisfy us. So what do we tend to do, cover it up with more and more of these cravings!

Look, verse 17 should be a reality check for you and I. These desires, these things don’t come with us when we pass. In fact, the bible says there is a day when God will remake the world and bring heaven to it. These desires will pass away. When they do, will you have life? Or will you have an absence of life?

This is the hard plea of John in this book. True Christians will not yearn in this way, they will naturally desire the things of God. The will naturally love God and let him satisfy them! They will naturally humble themselves to his leadership and put Jesus on the throne of their life! They will realize the joy of submission to a God who cares for their well-being! Remember the prayer of Jesus:

“15 I am not praying that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.” John 17:15

Where are you at today?

Do you tend to love the way the world does things?

Do you find joy and life in following God’s ways?

Feel free to ask questions below, I love you beloved!