Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:15-16 KJV
The world has a certain attraction. If it didn't, the people of the world will not kill to have its treasures. The world appeals to all who are deceived by its offer; it does not show them the full picture, but just the parts that appeal to the desires of men. The fall of man in the Garden of Eden laid the foundation for the attraction of man to the false hopes that the world offers. John wants us to take a closer look again at the world and define our lives by what God demands, not what the world dictates.
John makes it clear: you cannot love God and love the world at the same time. Both loves can't exist together in the same heart. The things God considers important are mocked by the world, while the things the world celebrates are hated by God. The love of God in a man's heart leaves no room for any other affair or affection. God is a jealous God, as He defines himself, and He will not compete for attention with any other. Who sits on the throne of your heart: the Word or the world?
Why is the world the opposite of the Word? Both have different priorities down here on earth, as well as different eternal consequences. Check out what the extract for today says about what is in the world: the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. These do not come from God, and if God hasn't birthed or ordained them, be sure that God will not sustain them. I must take a careful look at myself and be sure that none of the things that belong to the world is found in me.
The danger of the mix is seen in the story of Jericho and Ai. One man's greed led him to bring into the camp what was already cursed, which then led to defeat and the death of his entire clan. Death is the end of all that is in the world and if I am truly a child of God, I will choose my options very carefully. The word LOVE is used, not LIKE, which shows strong affection, and a commitment of the heart. Do I love God enough to make sure that there is no other competing interest in my heart? God's time of favour is here.
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