Welcome to Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations covering 1 John 2:15-17 where we are instructed in loving obedience to the Lord and the abandoning of worldly passions.
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. For all that is in the world- -the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions–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.
Immediately, Jesus’ words come to mind here: only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:23). The apostle helps us to understand the ways in which Jesus’ words are true. He gives the command against idolatry, against treasuring all that is wasting away and offers nothing of eternal value. We should note here that John does not say that there is to be no enjoyment in this life and the blessings that come with it, but that we must not give our attention to all that this world is without the aim of using it’s contents to glorify the Giver of them. We know this because he defines what we must guard against, namely, the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions. Such things we are told do not come from God but are part of this corrupted world. His charge is that we must night tie ourselves to such as these.
What is the real danger of loving the world and the things in it? In short, condemnation. This is frightening, but that really seems to be the overall message that John is bringing. The Father’s love not being in us (and the significance this carries concerning our relationship with Him) is set in contrast to verse 17: whoever does the will of God abides forever. The evidence then of whether or not we have the love of the Father within us and have experienced the salvation that Christ offers is found in the fruit of our lives. We must ask ourselves the question, “Is it my practice to follow the will of the Lord?”
There are plenty of people who have, concerning central Christian truths, a fairly developed theology and relatively accurate doctrine but really live for the things of this world. We show our true colors through our bank accounts, relationships, and aspirations. And to be fair, even if we know and love the Lord, wrong desires in these areas and many more are creeping into each and every one of our lives. What are the things that bring us high and take us low? What do we fear losing and desperately hope to gain? What of those things will pass away forever along with the world’s passing? We must come before the Lord and one another honestly, ready to do the Father’s will in Jesus’ name and in Jesus’ way.
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2 Responses to “Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations–1 John 2:15-17”
I love this section of Scripture. It reminds us that there are only 3 ways in which the devil can tempt us: the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life.
I think your question asked is a great 'test' to know if we are worldly by asking "what in the end will pass away'. That question really hits home. Great post Seth!
Thanks Wade…that was one of the questions that was convicting to myself as I wrote it as well! Have a great weekend!