~ Good Morning!

I’ve got a fantastic passage of scripture for you this morning. It’s three verses that include a Command, a Warning and a Promise. Let’s examine it together.

• ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:15-17 •

“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16)For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. (17)The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.” (NASB2020‬‬)

✝️ COMMAND — V. 15: “Do not love the world nor the things in the world.”

• This does not mean, do not love the natural part of the world, like creation, nor the human side of the world, which God said that He loved, in John 3:16.

• This verse means for us not to lean toward, flirt with, or love the part of the world that is antagonistic, hostile towards, or those things which oppose God. These things are evil and we should have nothing to do with them.

• 1 Peter‬ ‭1:14-16‬ ‭

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”” (ESV‬‬)

✝️ WARNING — V. 15b, 16, 17a: “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16)For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. (17)The world is passing away and also its lusts…”

• If you love the part of the world that is sinful, and that opposes God, then you can’t love God. We can’t love evil and good, and/or Godliness and ungodliness.

• Matthew‬ ‭6:24

““No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].” (AMP‬‬)

• One commentator wrote, “Those who put their trust in earthly possessions commit their energies and selves to a sphere whose end has already been assured.”

✝️ PROMISE — V. 17: “but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.”

• To love the world is to lose everything, including the thing that you loved; however, to love God is to gain Him, plus His kingdom.

• Romans‬ ‭6:23

“Sin pays off with death. But God’s gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (CEV‬‬)

The Conclusion?

It’s Simple.

Place the Lord first, and foremost, in your life and be committed to serving Him everyday of your life. I promise you, the Lord will never fail you!

Sincerely,

— Pastor Gene