1 John 2:15
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
The Bible teaches us not to love the world because there are severe consequences for doing so. 1 John 2:15 says that if you do love the world, then the love of the Father is not in you. There are no two ways about it. Either you are in the Father and love all that the Father loves. Or, you are not in the Father, and you love the lost things of this world. This passage seeks to establish the status of your relationship with God.
Paul Washer once said these words:
“[A lot of people] think that Christianity is you doing all the righteous things you hate and avoiding all the wicked things you love in order to go to heaven. No, that’s a lost man with religion. A Christian is a person whose heart has been changed; they have new affections. ”
You see, it is all about the affections of your heart, and not what you are trying to do. You either love God and desire the things that glorify Him, or you love the world and all that it has to offer. James 4:4 says “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world make himself an enemy of God.”
What does it mean to be a friend of the world? The following passages in 1 John 2:16-17 reveals the meaning, saying, “For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life – is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
The desires of the flesh are the cravings of sinful man. It refers to someone who is selfish and pursues their selfish desires independent of God and other people. The pursuit of the flesh is what causes rebellion against God. The lust of the eyes refers to anything that entices the eyes, including sexual lust, greed and a desire for things that satisfies one’s selfish desires by seeing them. Finally, the pride of life refers to anything desired that will bring glory to yourself rather than God, wishing to make a name for yourself and being proud of your own achievements rather than depending on God in humbleness.
So I urge you today to no longer be conformed to this world, not to love the world or the things in the world, but transform your mind to desire God and all His benefits. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new self (Ephesians 4:23-24). Romans 12:2 says “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
So, do not love the world or the things in the world, because if you do, then the love of the Father is not in you. Instead, by the power of the Holy Spirit, have a new heart and new affection for everything that is of Christ, and that He alone may be your desire and true love.
God bless.
