The words, “for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you,” seem rather harsh, don’t they? Conflicting, too. Aren’t we supposed to love the world around us? Take care of the Earth and love the people?
Yes to those, but John defines the things of the world he is talking about here:
- a craving for physical pleasure,
- a craving for everything we see,
- pride in our achievements and possessions.
If we find ourselves going out of our way for physical pleasure—sexual, physical, and emotional pleasure—we need to make changes.
If we realize that we have a craving—a deep, insatiable longing for the things we see—we need to institute some boundaries.
If we recognize that our achievements and possessions hold more pride, more heart-celebration than our relationship with God, we need to stop and turn around.
This is not to say that we can’t enjoy physical pleasure. God created us with that ability. It’s not that we can’t enjoy the things we see, God made us with the ability to recognize beauty. It’s not that we shouldn’t strive for personal success or be devoid of possessions. No. Not at all.
It IS the position of our heart. Priorities. If we spend more time, power, and effort on these things than we do on our relationship with God and His plan for us, we’re in deep trouble, and as John said, we don’t have the love of the Father in us.
Umm, OUCH!
Tough words, but so necessary! We need this to shift us from following a false god (self) to following Jesus alone.
Take a look at your life today. Are you ruled by a craving for physical pleasure (adventures, sexual experiences, huge fancy meals, unhealthy meals, laziness)? Do you crave having everything you see (the next cruise, the newest phone/computer, the biggest house, prettiest car, latest hair style, etc)? Do you take extraordinary pride in your accomplishments, showing them off at every turn? Does your sense of self rest in your possession of the things you own?
If you’re seeing yourself in these, it’s time to make a change. It’s time to seek the Father more than you seek those things. It’s time to drop those and run to Him. Don’t put it off. Today is the day.
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
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