“Do not love the world or anything in the world.” 1 John 2:15 NIV.
A journey apart from Christ begins with a single step in a wrong direction.
My thoughts and comments today are about, “the love of the world.”
You have been given a mission. Your mission is to impact your world positively and profitably for the Kingdom of God. Your world can be defined as: “The reach within your sphere of influence.” Your world may or may not be expansive, but your role in it is of eternal importance. “You are the light of the world . . let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:13-15 NIV. See also Philippians 2:15-16 NKJV.
In the process, there are some reasons to be wary. Let me explain. In most references throughout the New Testament, “the world” describes a spiritual force adamantly and eternally opposed to God and His purposes, not a physical or geographical place. See 1 John 5:19 NKJV. The Bible warns, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Romans 12:2 NLT. You are in the world but you must guard against becoming like the world. “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him . . The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever . . Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” 1 John 2:15-17/James 4:4 NIV.
There are tragic stories of people who lost their “true north” spiritually. The deceptive lure of worldliness became more attractive than they would resist. In sadness, Paul wrote of such a man. “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed . .” 2 Timothy 4:10 NKJV. Paul’s description of Demas, “having loved this present world,” could apply to many others. You do not want that as your epitaph. Attraction to the loves and ways of the world distracts from things that matter eternally. Read James 1:27 NIV/2 Peter 2:20-21 NKJV.
Many things right in themselves, but not in their results – history, habits, appetites, pleasures, popularity, friendships, success, possessions, temptations, and much more – conspire to draw your heart away from God and substitute for the priorities of His Kingdom. Read Mark 8:36 NKJV. A journey apart from Christ begins with a single step in a wrong direction. A fulfilling, spiritual journey begins with a simple step in the right direction.
Paul knew the danger, “I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3 NKJV. Guard your simplicity of love and loyalty to Jesus. As for His disciples, He prays for you, “[Father], I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. John 17:14-18 NKJV.
“Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if You will bow down and worship me.’” See Matt 4:8-10 NIV. See Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV. How can you be immune from the world’s appeal? The cross holds the victory, “. . the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14 NKJV. Redemption can destroy every allure the world held.
My prayer for you today is that the world will hold no attraction for you.