Do Not Love The World, Or Anything In The World
What Does The World Have To Offer?
1 JOHN 2:15-17
“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.
”I John 2:15-17 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/1jn.2.15-17.nkj
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What does this world have to offer? Money, statues, power, possessions, nice home, car, life style, parties, alcohol, drugs, sex and pride in our achievements.
But these are the very things that take us away from God-these things will give you joy, but that joy is very short lived, and will in time lead you to misery. Furthermore, like the joy they bring, these things are temporary and will fade away with the very world we live in.
Of course, in this world we need a home, a career, money and all kinds of material things to survive, but they should not be the focus of our hearts, for “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ””
Matthew 4:4 NKJV
The truth is, our spiritual food is far more important than our physical food, and unlike physical food,ungodly spiritual food can be poison to the soul.
It corrupts the mind with lies and brings all kinds ungodly emotions, fear, and anxieties that take us round and round the roundabout of despair.
It is widely available to all through the media, for the devil made sure of that.
But good food, that is pure and clean and brings peace and joy is also widely available, but found only in God’s Word.
“”Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV
We believers have a choice; to love the world, or to love the Father; to be dependent on the world, or to be dependent on our God.
It is our selfish nature and lack of control that has made life what it is today in this failing world of corruption, fear, poverty, hunger, lawlessness, sexual immortality, persecution, hate and violence.
It is the nature of people to crave everything they see, for no one is content in this world, whatever they have.
The more people have, the more they want, for this is a world of selfishness where marriages collapse, children grow up bound in darkness and the lies of the world.
These are the things of the unbelievers, and sadly for them, there is nothing else, no future nor even hope.
They put their trust in money, status, and science.
They allow the devil and his army to push the things of the world onto them and allow them to steal, and to kill, and destroy their relationships, careers, finances, health, and the peace, contentment, and joy that life should bring.
Instead they have anxiety, worry, and depression as they struggle through their daily lives.
Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10 NKJV
Jesus came to give abundant life and peace through the chaos of this world, and an eternal future that is so good that we cannot comprehend, where corruption, lawlessness, poverty, sickness, and such things shall be no more.
My brethren, separate yourselves from this world; put your trust in Jesus.
Paul tells us, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.””
II Corinthians 6:14-18 NKJV
My beloved, “Taste and see the Lord is good, Oh the joys of those who take refuge in him (PSALM 34:8)!
The joy of living in Christ is long-term; nothing can separate you from His love or steel your peace, for you have a future and a confident hope that God will never fail you; not in today’s world of corruption and darkness, nor in eternity.
He is God and every promise will be fulfilled, even death will be no more, God will wipe every tear from your eyes, everything will be new, and God himself will live amongst His people forever in paradise (REVELATION 21:3-4).
Now that's a hope and a future, and the Good News is, everyone is invited into God’s Kingdom. All you need do is believe (ROMANS 10:9-13).
My beloved, we are all sinners in need a Saviour, for our destiny was sealed by our sin.
But Jesus made a way where there was no way, by paying our debt of sin to justify life everlasting to all who believe.
Jesus paid a high price for you, indeed with His own blood, that everyone has the opportunity of salvation, joy and peace in this life, and the confident hope of eternal life with God. For it is written, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.””
Romans 10:9-13 NKJV
If you haven’t already, call upon the name of the Lord and you shall be saved.
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
