By
Shelby G. Floyd
The Bible declares, “Do not love the world or anything in the world” (1 John 2:15). John is thought of as the apostle of love. He teaches us to love God and each other. But here we are commanded to not love the world. This means that we are not to love the evil things of this world or set our affections on the things of this 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 lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:15-17).
Satan uses three principles to lead us into temptation and sin: (1) The lust of the flesh; (2) the lust of the eyes; and (3) the pride of life. Satan used these avenues very successfully in the fall of Adam and Eve (See Gen. 1-3). He was not successful in using these same avenues against Christ (See Matt. 4). Will he be victorious against us with these same strategies?
John declares that if we will do the will of God we will live forever (1 John 2:17). While on the earth Jesus taught people to pray that God’s will be done on earth even as it is done in heaven. Our goal as a Christian is to live with God and the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. Let us remember that the world and all of its desires are passing away. The world is ephemeral, but heaven is eternal!
Copyright © 2015 Shelby G. Floyd All Rights Reserved
Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142