15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
-First John 2:15-17 (NLT)
Where is your love today? We've been talking the past few days about living and walking in the light of the love of God, and avoid walking in the darkness of sin. That topic begs the question, "Where is your love today?" I guess the answer to that depends on where you are living. Are you living in the light, or in the darkness?
In verse 15 John writes, "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you." The world is full of sin, it is infested with sin. The world is dark with sin. Is that where your love is? John teaches us that if we love the world, then the love of God is not in you. Why? Because you put created things ahead of the Creator. What things are the trademarks of this world? Verse 16 says, "For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world." The world desires pleasure and pride. I really believe that is why things like adultery, sexual impurity and greed are at the forefront of life. These things are not pure, they are not holy. A few days ago, I had written a post called "Stay Pure In A Polluted World." If we desire, or have a craving for, physical pleasure (lust of the flesh), a craving for everything we see (lust of the eyes), and pride for what we've done, then we have become polluted and walk in the darkness of sin. John teaches us that these things are not from God, but have origins in the world. Do you live for the world, and the things of this world? If so, then you are not living in and walking in the light of the love of God.
Verse 17 says, "And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." The cravings of people will one day be gone. The things of this world will one day be gone. But, those who live for God, who have turned from following the things of this world, will live forever. Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-33, " 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[d] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Don't worry about the things the world worries about, and don't chase after the things the world chases after. Verse 32 says, "These thing dominate the thoughts of unbelievers," Instead, we are to , "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously." The King James Version says to "seek first the Kingdom of God." Instead of seeking direction from worldly things, seek God first, above all else. Then we can live pure and righteously in a sin infested world. Are you living for God today, or chasing after the things of this world? Think About It.
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