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. 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. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:15-17 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/1jn.2.15-17.NASB
1 John 2:15-17 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/1jn.2.15-17.NASB
Sam Houston, Where is the Love? July 26, 2018
Love the world is to put your heart to things, people and practices that are opposed to God.
This was a challenging word that has stuck with me this week. I've often heard more preaching about not retreating from the world but to win the world for Christ, through love (John 13:35, Matt 28:19-20). This teaching had built on the previous week about being all in (Jim Erickson). The big take away I see in bringing it all together is 1 Cor 10:12-13, "So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall. No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it"
Lack of Bible knowledge has convinced many that;
- Evangelism is not necessary
- Works are necessary for salvation
- Religious practice defines
God and the world are polar opposites
Matt 6:24. Can't serve or love two at once.
- two navigation systems at once: turn left, turn right
- we are trying to love two different masters
Matt 6:24. Can't serve or love two at once.
- two navigation systems at once: turn left, turn right
- we are trying to love two different masters
Categories of temptation
1. Sensual pleasures (flesh)
2. Pleasures of imagination (lust of eyes)
3. Pride of life (bragging about accomplishments)
1. Sensual pleasures (flesh)
2. Pleasures of imagination (lust of eyes)
3. Pride of life (bragging about accomplishments)
World's short-term pleasure pails in comparison to God's eternal life
- ice castle not meant to last forever. (World is passing away)
- ice castle not meant to last forever. (World is passing away)
John 14:15, love me keep my commandments
Choose to love world temporary pleasure, or love eternal God.
How do we keep from loving world
1. Study and understand God's love for us.
- The world can't love us back
- Every good and perfect gift comes from God
- the world can't give us anything good
2. Know who we are and our purpose
- eph 2:10, by God for him and works he prepared
3. Be aware of what and who we expose ourselves: Bad company corrupts good morals. Psalm 101:3, don't put worthless things in front of our lives.
4. Focus on goodness: Phil 4
1. Study and understand God's love for us.
- The world can't love us back
- Every good and perfect gift comes from God
- the world can't give us anything good
2. Know who we are and our purpose
- eph 2:10, by God for him and works he prepared
3. Be aware of what and who we expose ourselves: Bad company corrupts good morals. Psalm 101:3, don't put worthless things in front of our lives.
4. Focus on goodness: Phil 4
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