Do Not Love The World

Do Not Love The World

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

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.

I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

1 John 2:15-27

Call for Allegiance: Do Not Love The World (15-17)

Usage of “The World” - The system of the kingdom of Satan in this present age - John 12:31, 14:30; 1 John 5:19, 4:4.

Defining love - Not an emotion or feeling, but devotion and service.

Desires of the flesh - Temptation from the inside.

Desires of the eyes - Temptation from the outside.

Pride of Life - Finding importance in outward circumstances (e.g., money, position, possessions).

“Worldliness...does not lie in the things we do or in places we frequent; it lies in the human heart, in the set of human affections and attitudes.” -F.F. Bruce

We cannot love God and love the world. Where do we love the world?

Caution against Apostasy: Results of Loving the World (18-23)

The Last Hour - A theological truth, not a chronological reference.

The Antichrists - Plural, any who deny Christ (Luke 11:23). Wolves, False prophets.

Perseverance of the Saints - Endurance in the faith is evidence of salvation.

Denying Christ - Early heresies of not seeing Jesus as Christ.

How do we deny Jesus as God with our lives?

Command to Abide: Safeguards from Loving the World (24-27)

We look for new methods, but God tells us to use what He has already given.

Scriptures - Teaches us truth, shows us what humanity is, defines what it looks like to live in the Kingdom of God. Also gives the promise of eternal life.

Holy Spirit - A result of the gospel is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Conviction of sin and leadership into all truth.

Do we implement these safeguards to keep from loving the world?

Do you love God or love the world?

Jesus enables us to reject the world and live for Him.