WHAT NOT TO LOVE
Do not loveG25 the world or anything in the world. If anyone lovesG25 the world, the loveG26 of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
1 John 2:15-16
The world in these verses is not the same as when we are told “God so loved the world” in John 3:16. God loves His creation and the beings He created in His own image. Here the Apostle John is talking about the evil world system, the domain of Satan and those who do his bidding. One cannot love God and be wholeheartedly committed to Him and love the things of the world, as John described them “the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life.” Our desire should be for whatever furthers the kingdom of God, whatever draws us closer to Him and others closer to Him via our witness. We should no longer be satisfied with what the world has to offer and should desire to rescue others from its grip. Sometimes we are led to believe that we must “fit in” with the world in order to reach people for Jesus. However, the opposite is true. We must lead lives diametrically different from those entrenched in the world system. Others need to observe a change in us and a relationship with God to be desired. Our love for the Father must supersede all other loves in our lives.
“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould . . .” is the J.B. Phillips translation of Romans 12:2. If we try to conform, to fit in with the world around us, it will suck us back into a place we do not belong. We cannot love the world and truly love the Lord at the same time. Has “worldliness” tried to creep back into your life? If so, turn from those temptations and ask God to lift you out of that muck. Do you know someone who is being strongly pulled by the world system? Pray for him or her. Pray for their deliverance and be open to the opportunity to share God’s love for them by encouraging them to turn back to Him or surrender to the Lord for the first time.
Father, help us to consistently turn our eyes upon Jesus and reject the temptations of the world. You tell us that we are not tempted more than we are able to withstand and that You will provide a way to escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Thank You for the grace You continue to lavish upon us!
Worship opportunity: (click to sing along with the song “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”: https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/34513418/Alan+Jackson/Turn+Your+Eyes+Upon+Jesus