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 lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. vv.15-17
Read chapter 2
Don’t love the world. Notice what it doesn’t say. It doesn’t say do not love anyone in the world, it says do not love the world or anything in it: the stuff that comes out of the world and not from God the Father. These things that come from the world are “the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does.” I guess it’s kind of like “hate the sin, love the sinner.” If you love the world it’s says the love of the Father is not in him. If the Father’s love is in us we ought to love the things He loves and hate the things He hates. We live in the world and cannot hide from the things of this world but that doesn't mean we have to love the world. We may have to tolerate certain things but there are also many sins we can take a stand against. What is something in the world you love that God doesn’t love? How can you allow the love of the Father to be greater than that love of the world?
No comments:
Post a Comment