I John 2:16 (Part 3)

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For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.

THE STUDY:

          John lists the third tendency in words that cannot be translated easily. Translators provide a number of equally valid versions. Here are some representatives:

“The pride of life” (KJV, NKJV, RSV)

“The boastful pride of life” (NASB)

“All the glamour of its life” (NEB)

“The life of empty show” (NAB)

“Pride in possessions” (ESV)

“The boasting of what [man] has and does” (NIV)

The reason for these numerous variations lies in two Greek words: “boast” and “life.” The first word means the boasting of a braggart or impostor (compare James 4:16). This boasting may even approach the point of arrogant violence. The second denotes life with respect to actions and possessions. The person who brags about his deeds and goods expresses “lust for advantage and status.”^[1]

          What I tend to find in a person who boast about what he or she has materially is a person who is insecure about themselves. They find their identity in the material things they have and fill or replace that which is missing inside their heart. As a believer we know what is missing; Jesus. Finding contentment in Christ fills the void that has been missing since the fall of man. We cannot replace that with the world. If we try to do this, John tells us we are not from the Father but ….. from the world.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away with the understanding this morning that the void that has been in our hearts and lives for all these many years can only be filled with the original occupant, Jesus Christ. Nothing else will suffice.

CONCLUSION:

          Paul tells us to live victoriously and to avoid excesses of the flesh. Moody once illustrated this truth as follows: “Tell me,” he said to his audience, “How can I get the air out of this glass?” One man said, “Suck it out with a pump.” Moody replied, “That would create a vacuum and shatter the glass.” After many impossible suggestions, Moody smiled, picked up a pitcher of water, and filled the glass. “There,” he said, “all the air is now removed.” He then went on to show that victory in the Christian life is not by “sucking out a sin here and there,” but rather by being filled with the Spirit.

          My prayer for you today is that you not try and fill that void in your life with material things of this world but with the original occupant of that void, Jesus Christ!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament Commentary (272). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.