learning DAILY



1 John 2:15-17, Do not love the world or the things of 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.

Maybe it is the events that are happening in this country and around the world today that have got me considering what this passage of Scripture is saying.  Maybe it is just something I need to deal with in my own life.  So, here is the basic question.  What does it mean to “not love the world or the things of the world”?  How does this relate to John 3:16 which says “For God so loved the world that He sent His Son to die for whosoever believes” (my paraphrase of the entire verse).  I had to do some research on what this “world” means.

“Do not love the world” from the verses above does not refer to “do not love the world of John 3:16.  Randy Acorn states, “It does not mean that God loved the sin of the world.  It means God loved the people of the world.  Obviously when Scripture says to us in 1 John 2, ‘Don’t love the world,’ it is not telling us ‘Don’t love the people in the world.’  Rather, it is telling us, ‘Don’t love the sin in the world.’”

Let me share more of what I found to be quite interesting.  The term “world” is from the Greek word kosmos and is often referred to as the system of this age that Satan promotes and that exists independent of God.  It is the evil, immoral, and sinful lifestyle and values of the world.  It also refers to the spirit of rebellion against God.  In this world, Satan uses the world’s morality, philosophies, psychology, governments, education, science, medicine, economic systems, entertainment, fashions, sports, media, and religions to oppose God.  Wow!  I doubt all has been covered but do you get the idea?  I should add that when these things oppose God, they also oppose His Word, His people, and His righteous standards!  When Satan uses these things he is using them to promote humanistic philosophies, break down modesty, and to undermine Biblical values.  He is trying to create “lukewarm” Christians who are more concerned about the latest trends and popular events that draw our attention away from God. It is interesting to me that all of these things have been stopped or postponed due to the Covid-19.  What is God saying to us?

To love the world means to be in fellowship with its values, interests and pleasures.  It means to enjoy what is offensive to God.  It seems pretty easy to say that we should oppose the things of the world; it is more difficult to actually live out those words.  I really look forward to the college sports, for example.  I love my family so very much.  But, I have learned that when I put any sports or my family above God, I make them an idol. The last verse of 1 John warns against putting anything before God. 

I need to spend some time allowing the Lord to reveal to me anything I place before Him.  I encourage you to take some quiet time today to do the same thing.

If you would like to get this blog sent to you automatically when new posts are posted please leave your email address with “Follow by email.” Don’t forget to check Follow as well.

Remember – if you receive this blog through email, you can go to the regular blog page by moving your cursor to the top of the page and click on LEARNING DAILY header.  Then you can see the archived articles and comment section.