Text: 1 John 2:15 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.
16For 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.
17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Lust of the flesh
Lust of the flesh is indulging in pleasures of the body. Those things that excite and inflame fleshly pleasures. Lust is usually called luxury.
Luxury is comforts that excel the normal lifestyle. These can be sexual or material possessions.
James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Lust of the eyes
The eye is delighted with treasures, possessions and rich possessions are craved by an extravagant eye. This is the lust of covetousness.
Pride of life
A vain mind craves the grandeur, and pomp of a vain glorious life style. This is ambition and thirsting after honor and applause. Flatteries,
Admiration and praise sought after.
Does this apply to everyone?
1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
There are three categories in these verses. Little children, young men and fathers.
Little children are new believers. There sins are forgiven. They need to be aware of the dangers of this world. They are new, novices. There are pitfalls they need to be aware of.
Young men and strong in the Lord. These are adults. They have arrived at maturity. These have overcome the wicked one. He who can overcome the devil can overcome the world; even conquer the world for Christ.
Fathers are those that are grounded and settled in their walk with the Lord. They have avoided the pitfalls for a long time now. However, don't get to confident. You can stumble and fall too. Don't let the world trip you up. Paul tells Timothy of Demas who stumbled and fell.
2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
Remember the words of Solomon;
Proverbs 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
The Apostle Paul agrees with John. Let the mind of Christ be in you. Think on the things of God and the things of this world will not be very important to you.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Colossians 3:1-5 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
It is easy to get caught up in the things around us such as politics, social events etc. What should our attitude be in these things?
Matthew 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
Romans 13:1-7 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
No comments:
Post a Comment