Abandon the Things of the World (1 John 2: 15-17)

ABANDON THE THINGS OF THE WORLD (1 JOHN 2: 15-17): 

Apostle John specifically addressed the believers, based on their knowledge and relationship with God, and then writes to the believers in common, not to love the world. Apostle John writes not to love the world or the things in the world and continues that if anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. God is the one who created the entire world and saw that it was good when He created. He gave the beings of the world to man, to rule and have dominion over it. Whereas Apostle John writes not to love the world or the things in the world because people had forgotten the purpose God gave the things and started to consider the things important than the values of God. If a person is materialistic, he spends his valuable time, treasure, and talents in acquiring it rather than using it to know and glorify God, thereby losing the love of the Father.

Apostle John continues writing the reason why a believer should not love the world or the things of the world, which is because all that is in the world are the desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes and pride of life which is not from the Father but is from the world. The evilness and the separation from God had made the man move away from the purpose of God and man sought the things that are not from God. The desires of the flesh make to vandalize the self and others with obscene things in order to gratify the flesh. The desires of the eyes make to steal and exploit things for selfish reasons without consideration of Godly values. The pride of life seeks out position and honor for vain glory. All the things of the world are temporary and it makes the man be dumb to the beautiful purposes behind why God made everything. They are not from God the father but progressively evolve as man heed to the evilness and the systems, formed by themselves.

The author continues to write the limitations of loving the world. The author writes that the world is passing away along with its desires but whoever does the will of God abides forever. Life on earth is very short and everything will pass away, along with all the desires, after the person reaches his destiny. God is eternal and He had put eternity in the hearts of men, and whoever believes in the Son of God with a true heart will be saved and receive eternal life. Once a person defines his life in God and commits his life to God, the person wishes to please God by following His commandments, starting to live for God and not for self, doing the will of God, and abiding in Him forever.

Stimulations for Self-Reflection:

1.      What believers should not love?

2.      What does Apostle John mean by saying not to love the world or things in the world?

3.      What happens if one loves the world? Why?

4.      What are all the things in the world?

5.      Why the things of the world are not from the Father but, is from the world?

6.      What is passing away? How?

7.      Who abides forever? How?

8.      How can we Love the Father and not the World?

9.      How can we avoid the evil desires of the flesh, desires of eyes, and pride of life?

10.  How can we do the will of God?