What Brings You Joy? 1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” We hear this preached a lot “Do not love the world.” But have you ever stop to think what actually is meant by “the world?” The Apostle John does not speak of God’s creation; we ought to enjoy the world that God created. Nor does “the world” refer to the people in it, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” [John 3:16]. To understand what is meant by “the world,” we need to examine the Greek word for “world” here in these verses. The Greek word that is translated to “world” is kosmos. And it refers to the world system, the organized system of local, county, state, national and inter-national systems that leave God out of its rules, regulations, laws and government. For if God is out of the picture then Satan must actually be in it, and he has a big grin on his face. And he is in direct opposition to God. Therefore, we as believers in Jesus Christ need to hate those things that are organized against God. Now, you may say “hate” is such a strong word. But my friends, be careful not to even entertain those things that are against God, less you be got on a slippery slope or become like the frog in a pot of water that slowly rises up to a boil. Keep your guard up, my friends, for the prince of these organized systems that in rebellion against God is none other than Satan himself. And we are not to be found taking part in its greed, selfish ambition, fleshly pleasures, deceit, lying and menace. These things that are against God appeals to our old nature and it temps us through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These are Satan’s old bags of tricks, he first used it against Eve in the Garden of Eden and he succeeded. Then he tried to use it against Jesus in the wilderness, but Jesus overcame Satan by standing firm on God’s Word. And that is how, my friends we can refrain from taking part in those things that are against God. Take heed my friends for “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Find enjoyment and love in those things that are permanent, something that is everlasting for eternity. My friend, I pray that you find joy and love in Christ Jesus. Hold on to these truths my friends for it will strengthen your faith till the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 15:29:44 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015