1 John 2:15-17 (Do Not Love the World)

Chapter 2

Verses 15-17

"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."

I must admit I never realized that the phrase "Be in the world but not of the world," is not a Biblical verse. Then again the phrase is completely accurate.

With verse 15 ("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.") I must briefly state that in the case of a believer the created "world," which God has created is meant to be enjoyed (i.e. food, marriage).

1 Timothy 4:1b-5:
"...some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer."

1 Timothy 6:17:
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."

Note the latter verse here also gives an example of the things of this world which men chase after and put all their hope in, neglecting the obvious fact that even if they don't believe in God it will be of no use once dead.

To be of the world is a great problem in the church of America. Many are concerned with their clothes, money, cars, relationships, etc. And with these interests being what attracts most people its no wonder many pastors have strayed from the faith, abandoning the gospel of Christ and pleasing the interests of men rather than those of God.

Galatians 1:10:
"For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ."

Things such as money, food, sex, and other things can be used for the glory of God. But when abused it becomes the god you worship. Jesus says in Luke 16:13, "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (money)."

So then the end of verse 15 makes sense, "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Because one cannot serve two masters, if one loves money then they do not love Christ and the love of the Father is not in them.

Verse 16 gives a brief discription of what it means to be of the "world."
Then verse 17 finishes by making the point, that "the world is passing away, and the lust of it...", so then all things that men put their hopes in will vanish and it will not be their bank account that will save them from the wrath that awaits all those who do not put their hope in God.

"...but he who does the will of God abides forevers." The promise and the hope that the believer has is that they understand that this world is passing away, so when money is gone and food is gone and sex and television is gone, Christ will be the only thing remaining and for those who believe, it will be all that they ever wanted. And they will abide with Him forever. God be praised.