Loving the World

 "Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."  I John 2:15

 

What do you love in this world?  Your mate, your kids?  Loving people is a good thing.  Loving the beauty of God's creation, loving good fellowship or time in the Bible are all great things.  This verse is talking about a different kind of love.  This occurs when we become attached to worldly things.  Seeking praise of man, power, prestige, finances, conspicuous consumption- all of these are examples of people having an ungodly attachment to things of this world. 

This passage indicates that if our affection is set on what this world has to offer, then we will not have the appropriate attachment to God.  When we are indulging in worldly pursuits, we are not loving God.  The Bible states that if  we love Jesus, we will keep his commandments.  Love and obedience are very closely linked.  In order to go after the things of the world, we will have to sacrifice obedience to God on the altar of worldliness.  We must pick our allegiance.

This is not to say that a God loving person could never be blessed financially or enjoy success in life. There are many godly  people that have received those blessings.  The distinction comes between people who are going after the "blessing", rather than the "Blesser".  If we are going after God with all of our heart-and he knows he can trust us, he may choose to bless us with material blessings.  But we must not pursue them, rather we must pursue his kingdom.

John 3:16, the most famous of all Bible verses says:  "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son..."  At first glance, this might seem to contradict today's verse.  But when God is loving the world, he is loving the people of the world.  When we love others we are walking as Jesus did and will never go wrong.  Is there anything in your life that you treasure so much, you hope the Lord delays his coming until you can attain it?  If so, you may need to do a heart check-up to make sure that your priorities are in order.  Loving God comes first, loving people comes second.  The secret to a victorious life comes in fulfilling both of these pursuits.

Dear Lord, help me to see the world as you do- in light of your redemptive plan for mankind.  If I am pursuing something in exclusion to you, please show me and change me.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Sherri