I John 2:15

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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.

THE STUDY:

           As first glance we read this verse and we think “I am all for this!” But after letting it sink in for a period of time we might be asking ourselves this question, “What does John mean by THE WORLD?” All three instances in this verse are found to be the same Greek Word. That word is defined as referring to the present world, which was created by God through the Logos, but which is now alienated from him^[1] We see a parallel between the words of John and those of James, “Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4).^[2]

          The word love that John employs is the same term he uses in verse 10 where he speaks about the person who loves his brother. The love which he has in mind is that of attachment, intimate fellowship, loyal devotion. It is the love which God demands in the summary of the law: “Love the Lord your God … and love your neighbor as yourself.”

John directs his warning to those people who already have switched allegiance and are now giving their undivided attention to the affairs of the world. He tells them to stop loving the world and to desist from pursuing their worldly interests. He is not talking about a single incident but about a lifestyle.^[3]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away with this thought this morning; let our love for God be a lifestyle not a love for worldly things. There is nothing wrong with wanting a nice house, car, motorcycle, retirement home, or to plan a vacation. All of these things were created by God. When it becomes detestable to God is when those very things take the place of God or become more important to us than our relationship with Him.  

CONCLUSION:

Story from another pastor:

          I had a friend who once made a covenant with me to tithe ten percent of his income every year. He didn’t have much money. But things started too changed for him as we prayed. The layman tithed one thousand dollars the year he earned ten thousand, ten thousand dollars the year he earned one-hundred thousand, and one- hundred thousand dollars the year he earned one million. But the year he earned six million dollars he just could not bring himself to write out that check for six-hundred thousand dollars to the Church. 

He called me, long since having moved to another church, and asked to see him. Walking into my office he begged me to let him out of the covenant, saying, "This tithing business has to stop. It was fine when my tithe was one thousand dollars, but I just cannot afford six-hundred thousand dollars. You’ve got to do something, Pastor!" I knelt on the floor and prayed silently for a long time. Eventually the man said, "What are you doing? Are you praying that God will let me out of the covenant to tithe?" "No," said the minister. "I am praying for God to reduce your income back to the level where one thousand dollars will be your tithe!"

Church, don’t let anything come between you and God! If there is anything that God has revealed to you this morning that may be before God on your priority list remove it and ask for God to forgive you. Get things right so the right things get priority. AMEN

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Balz, H. R., & Schneider, G. (1990-). Vol. 2: Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament (311). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans.

^[2] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (269–270). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

^[3] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (270). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.