The Way of the World (Nov. 16-19)

15 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. 16 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. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:15-17 ESV

15-17 Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

1 John 2:15-17 MSG

As Christians, it’s easy to see the world and be impressed by it but the bible warns us about loving the world, but it’s easy for us to say - I don’t do that.

I listen to Maverick City, my friends are from church, I’m not sinning like crazy. I’m not too bad.

All good things, but look at what the Message translation expands on:

Practically everything that goes on in the world

wanting your own way,

wanting everything for yourself,

wanting to appear important

has nothing to do with the Father.

We don’t love the world, understood. But sometimes we can live by the way the world works. The Bible says don’t love the world, but also all that is in the world. Meaning the way it works, following our flesh, following the desires and impulses of our heart. Each of these can be seen as loving the world.

What can we do?

  1. Recognize that there’s a problem.

    1. Are you loving God, not just with words but with actions?

    2. Have you noticed that you’ve been doing things the way the world does?

  2. Admit you need God to intervene.

    1. It’s okay, but don’t do it forever ask God for help and he will respond.

    2. God wants to get involved, he doesn’t want to copilot, he wants to drive!

  3. Practice. Have a dialogue with God, talk to him.

PreachingRico CruzComment