DOUBLE LONGING—1 John 2:4

1 John 2:4

A. Desire for God and sin both?—Matt. 6:24

If you think that you are successfully serving two masters, you are deceived. It can’t be done. As ancient Israel struggled with idolatry, they thought they could worship the Lord God and Baal. God constantly reminded them that to worship Baal was to forsake the Lord God. To be loyal to the one is to despiseB. Desire for God and the world both?—1 John 2:15–17

Malachi 1:6—2:9 is directed specifically at the priests of Israel. Despite having knowledge of the Old Testament Law, they are offering improper sacrifices to God. Instead of following the requirements for pure offerings, they are sacrificing animals so defective that a mere politician would not accept them.Depise:to consider as beneath one's notice or respect :

C. Desire for sinful friends and Christian friends?—2 Cor. 6:17

D. Desire for God and pleasure both?—1 Tim. 5:6

Let your language be longings for God—Isa. 42:1–2; Matt. 5:6

I know Him: “Do distinguish, however, between knowing about Christ and knowing Christ. We may know very much about many of our great men, though we do not know them. Now, it will never save a soul to know about Christ. The only saving knowledge is to know him, his very self, and to trust him, the living Savior, who is now at the right hand of God.” (Spurgeon)

But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him: John also makes the link between our obedience and our love for God. A perfected (the idea is mature) love for God will show itself in obedience, and the presence of this obedience and love gives us assurance that we are in Jesus (By this we know we are in Him).