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. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

 1 John 2

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. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17

This morning, I continue my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books.  My study today focuses on a commentary-assisted review of 1 John 2:12-17.

Per the commentary:

Main idea for the text: "Those who truly love and follow Christ must not fall in love with the things of this world, but rather with the Father who gives them everything they need."

Excerpts from the introduction:

• Although we may like to think God does not hate anyone or anything, He does hate sin and we are to hate sin.  We are referred to scripture where this is explicitly stated: Psalm 5:5-6, 97:10, 119:104, 119:113, 119:163, Proverbs 6:16-19, Hebrews 1:9, Revelation 2:6.  Similarly, God hates it when people love the world instead of Him.  See also James 4:4.
• "If we know God as Father, we will not set our hearts on the fleeting and transitory things of a system and worldview perspective that stands in defiant opposition to Him."
  

Divisions:  

1. Know What You Are in Christ and Cannot Lose (2:12-14): The text outlines a sequence of steps that occur as we move from surrendering to God and He forgives our sin, we then get to know Him more intimately, He gives us strength, power and victory over sin and death, and we are armed to do all of this because God is in us and we are in Him - we thereby love Him and seek to please Him. We also become adopted into His family.
   
2. Know What the World Offers but Cannot Give (2:15-17): "[W]e are not to love and idolize thoughts, values, and behaviors that are contrary to God’s Word (v. 14) and His will (v. 17). Things that appeal to our sinful flesh (e.g., drug abuse, drunkenness, gluttony, abundance of possessions, sexual perversions, etc.) and are fleeting and passing are not to be the things that we live for."  Arrogance is also called out as this implies love of self or a desire for self-glory vs that of God. We are reminded that love of God and God Himself are both eternal vs the world and things of the world which are temporary. "The longing of the human heart is to be loved and to love. The objects of our affections need to be rightly ordered if we are truly to find ultimate and lasting satisfaction....We must recognize that turning even good things into “god” things becomes a bad thing. It is to give your love to a lesser lover—one who can never satisfy, who can never give you what you truly need." The three temptations conquered by Christ in the wilderness (Matthew 4, Luke 4), lust of flesh, lust of eyes, desire for wisdom (pride of life), were what befell Adam and Eve in the Garden during the Fall (Genesis 3).  We are to follow the second Adam, not the first.  

The commentary provides an instructive table that compares things of the world vs that of the Father:

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who forgives sins, adopts me into You family, protects me and arms me with the Holy Spirit and Your Word to love You and protect me from sin, and You are saving a place for me in Heaven - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.