Your Best Life Ever

Starting In The Here And Now. A Deep Dive Into ‘Love Not the World.’1 John 2:15-17

In a world full of distractions, desires, and material goals, the biblical warning to "Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world" is usually, easy to ignore.

For it ‘flies in the face’ of one of our first life’s biggest desires. The desire to be liked or well thought of by other people.

Yup. For many century 21 disciples of Lord Jesus Christ, ‘love not the world’ is a huge conundrum or challenge to their natural desire for acceptance.

Because in our natural or first-born state, the desire to be liked or well thought of by other people is actually – ‘a no brainer’.

Now granted, on one hand, there are people who tend to act or even say ‘out loud’ they couldn’t care less about whether or not they are liked or admired by others. ‘Course on the other hand, there are those individuals who are narcissistic or self-loving, and want to be admired and loved by everyone else.

However, both individuals above will be ‘let down’ by others, and for the same reason. Pride. We recall in Galatians 6:3 ESV, Paul notes “For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself”1:2.

Obviously, ‘he deceives himself’ sounds harsh, so we need to close in for an accurate context…

In his letter to the church in Galatia, evidently the Apostle Paul’s focus is first and foremost , all about discipleship lifestyle. Beginning in the first chapter, Paul reveals his lifestyle by offering his credentials. “Paul, an apostle (not from men or through man), but through Jesus Christ and God the Father”. Gal 1:1.

Arguably, Paul’s brevity, clarity and humility in offering his credentials are ‘above par’ as he simply states his calling, and credentials are from God the Father and Jesus the Son. Then rather than elaborate, he immediately gives equal credit to: “and all the brethren who are with me”. Gal 1:2.

We see not only is the Apostle clear about avoiding pride, but he’s also equally determined to be supportive before ‘lowering the boom’ of disciplinary action his letter eventually entails, and moves on to mention “Our Lord Jesus Christ… that he might deliver us from this present evil age. Gal 1:4b

Which brings us full circle back to our need for clarity on the central issue of lifestyle, time and pride. And we attempt a deep dive into “For if anyone thinks he is something” we recall and sense a need to reconcile the above with “For as man thinks in his heart, so is he” as cited in Proverbs 23:7 Which begs the question:

So, who am I?

Arguably, it’s central to properly assess lifestyle, time and pride. And since who we are has to do with what we crave or own, let’s consider that extremely wealthy man from Uz. Job. He owned 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, a very large household, and was the greatest man in the East. Also:

As father to seven sons and three daughters, Job feared God, walked uprightly, and shunned evil. The virtual hell God allowed Satan to put him through eventually revealed Job was a stranger to himself. But he was certainly no fool, and staunchly declared. “Even though God slays me, yet I will trust Him” Job 13:15

Yup. With his entire body festered with sores and barely relived as he scraped them with broken pottery, Job 2:8 even lost the comfort of his wife, not to mention his so-called friends who after seven days of silence, became his loudest accusers of rampant evil and even called him a former enemy of poor people.

But eventually came the day God intervened and proved “as man thinks in his heart, so is he” Yup. God revealed despite Job’s sores and raw, smelly skin; the heart of His misunderstood, immensely hurting and distressed servant was purer than the driven snow on earth’s highest mountaintop…

And eventually, restored to Job all and more than he had initially lost to vile Satan…

In this world full of downstream distraction, downstream desire, and downstream material goal, Job’s upstream lifestyle, upstream testing, upstream torment and upstream eventual triumph is our constant spiritual daily bulwark and reminder to "Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world."

This passage from 1 John 2:15-17 offers profound insight into comparisons of faith and values of our contemporary society. Thankfully, God in His unlimited wisdom and love for us, may these days spare us the kind of wealth but accompanying testing Job was forced to endure. Few of us may survive Job’s upstream test.

So, who am I?.

Would I want to tested like Job? Is my heart constantly yearning for the shiny and flattering trinkets peculiar to this world? As we navigate our daily lives, it is crucial to explore what it truly means to not love the world and why the love of the Father cannot coexist with worldly affection.

The Crucial Context of 1 John 2:15-17

The Apostle John writes this epistle to reveal the nature of true fellowship with God. Contextually, ‘the world’ refers to a system of values, attitudes, and practices in opposition to God’s will. Am I clear eyed with regard to the danger of ignoring God’s desire for my preservation, protection and purity? 

John categorizes the hazards of worldly downstream living into three primary markers: Lust of the flesh. Lust of the eyes, and The pride of life. 1 John 2:16 is our gateway to a close examination as we review the need for agile awareness and daily vigilance regarding:

1. The Lust of the Flesh: This refers to the cravings and desires that lead us away from God’s intended purpose and design for our lives. Lust of the flesh can hijack our physical appetites, and ‘left unchecked and surrendered to Jesus ‘Holy Spirit, will eventually lead to sinful desire and action.

2. 
   

Ezekiel 16:49 cautions “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and the needy”. Disregard for the needs of the poor or less fortunate may actually be a subtle sign or link to lust of the flesh.

In today's culture, we see this manifested in the pursuit of pleasure, instant gratification, and indulgence, often at the cost of our spiritual health. In passing, and having to do with the poor and needy, there’s a challenge tied to accurately recognizing instances of injustice. For in sharp:

Contrast to marginalization of the poor, children, women, and other disenfranchised people groups, is an issue best be described as societal confusion. For while it’s true there are many people groups that are hurting and vulnerable, there are also others where:

Such is not the case. Rather for many individuals, their challenge in life whether humanly perceived as good or not, may actually be the result of a flawed spiritual or moral choice. A case in point is a homosexual who considers her or himself marginalized while the Bible says homosexuality is actually a sin and urges:

“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to God, and he will freely pardon”. Isaiah 55:7 NIV After all it’s written “God is not willing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance”. II Peter 3:9

2. The Lust of the Eyes: This temptation involves coveting what we see. Advertisements, social media, and cultural narratives bombard us every day with images of success, beauty, and wealth, enticing us to measure our worth against these standards.

   
   

Unless as century 21 disciples of Lord Jesus Christ we’re wide awake to the deadly potential of covetousness, tied to lust of the eyes, we can become ensnared in a deadly downstream of discontent and envy, distracting us from the care of our Awesomely Loving Father.

3. The Pride of Life: Lust for recognition, status, and control can sway us from our faith. Evidently of all the frailties of sin among humankind, none is as deadly as the sin of pride and perhaps, is best understood when we recall it was the primary cause for Lucifer’s downfall.

   
   

4. Consequently, it’s crucial we rely on the empowerment of Jesus Holy Spirit as our best weapon against individualism and self-promotion. Or the deadly downstream of pride will cause us to place our identity and self-worth in external achievements rather than in a loving relationship with God.

   
   

The Downstream of Loving the World: Again, John warns "if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them" 1 John 2:15. Eerily, it’s entirely possible to easily and completely miss the full, deadly import of the catastrophic message here.

The above is not mere caution but profound truth, and warning to stay alert and avoid numbing crowds and camouflaging cancer of complacency. The longer we prioritize worldly values, the more we risk alienating ourselves from God's love, His channels of grace, and instead, sadly fall prey to the calamities of:

1. Spiritual Disconnect: Loving the world leads to distancing from God. When we join and immerse ourselves in the downstream of worldly desires, our spiritual sensitivity diminishes, making it harder to discern God’s voice and will for our lives.

   
   

2. Loss of Identity: When we define ourselves by worldly standards, we often lose sight of our true identity as children of God. Our worth becomes tied to fleeting achievements rather than the eternal care and grace offered by our Loving Heavenly Father.

   
   

3. 3. Empty Pursuits: Our priorities become eroded even as worldly pursuits that initially promise fulfillment eventually to leave us feeling empty. The temporary highs of success, pleasure, and recognition cannot satisfy our deepest longings for purpose and belonging.

   
   

It’s why one, if not most the pointed question is scripture posits. “For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life? CSB.

The cancer of spiritual complacency is not only one of the most subtle; it’s an equally sinister abyss leading to crippling evil. Alternatively, We Can Embrace the Love of the Father: In stark contrast to the emptiness of the world, the love of the Father is transformative and fulfilling.

John emphasizes in 1 John 2:17: "The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

Yup. So, Here’s the How. Why and When to celebrate and embrace God’s transformative love in our lives!

1. Cultivate a Consistent Relationship with God. Daily, invest time in prayer, read Scripture, and participate in community worship. This practice will ground us, encourage and remind us of our true identity and purpose after we’re born again.

2. Practice Gratitude: Begin to anticipate the joys of sharing all of you by shifting your focus from what you lack to what you are able to share. It can begin with a smile of handshake. Gratitude counters the temptations of this world by fostering contentment, hope and joy in thankfulness for God’s provision.

   
   

3. Engage in Service: Serving others is a powerful antidote to pride. Imagine the day you’ll also ask “37B Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirst and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did see you sick or in prison and visit you?

40 And the King will say, I tell you the truth, when you did it for one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” Matthew 25:37-40. First you may have to wait for the joy of service to begin to flow. But it will. And you’ll be so amazed you’ll wonder why you waited for the joy of serving (like) Jesus!

Bottom line. Serving others shifts our focus from self to community, reflecting the love of the Father in practical, tangible, timely “Let’s get this need met already” ways. Serving with the love of Lord Jesus will transform you from a mere onlooker to a disciple revealing the caring heart of Lord Jesus!

4. Seek Accountability: Surround yourself with a community that encourages you to pursue God’s will over worldly desires. Accountability partners can help keep you grounded and focused on your spiritual journey. Usually, this is how aligning with a local albeit imperfect church can be a blessing for growth.

   
   

5.      Reflect on Eternal Values: Regularly assess your priorities and align them with God’s. Understanding our time on earth is temporary; prompts us to invest in what truly matters as hymnwriter Jennie Wilson penned:

           Time is filled with swift transition. Naught of earth unmoved can stand .         Build your hopes on things eternal. Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Alluring Call of Cultural Engagement: In today’s fast-paced, consumer-driven society, an unconventional call to "Love not the world" is admittedly daunting. Which is why in addition to deciding to serve as a disciple of Lord Jesus after we’re born again, we commit to relying of His Holy Spirit to sustain us…

See, after “I have decided to follow Jesus,” we have to be brutally aware the enemy of souls “may target our back.”  Yup. A decision to follow Jesus is a commitment to live counter-culturally. So, arming with God’s love and protection allows us to engage with the world in meaningful ways; but avoid being consumed by its values.

One example to consider is the impact of social media. Although a time efficient platform for connection and positivity, it can also be a hate filled hotbed of comparison, disunity, disdain and discontent. As disciples of Lord Jesus, we can use these platforms to share hope, encouragement, and the love of Christ. And:

With His holy Spirit’s empowering, demonstrate a far different narrative that contrasts with the overwhelming messages of materialism, self-aggrandizement and self-promotion. Yes, we can live our best life ever and forever starting here and now, and stretching out into eternity! World without end…

Yup. The call to "love not the world" is not a rejection of life but an invitation to embrace a deeper, more profound life and love - love of God. As we tackle the maze of century 21 life, let’s remember true fulfillment comes from aligning our hearts with Our Father’s will and seeking His kingdom first. Matthew 6:33. Thus:

We’re not only enriched by God’s love, but also able to reflect it to a world desperately needing it. Dr B, 042825