Do Not WHAT?
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Do Not What?
Do Not What?
In today’s passage John uses some pretty strong words as he writes to us about the world.
In today’s passage John uses some pretty strong words as he writes to us about the world.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:15-17
NIV
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
There is an old West African proverb which says, "The man who tries to walk two roads will split his pants."
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
There is an old West African proverb which says, "The man who tries to walk two roads will split his pants."
That’s the way it is with those who try to live for the Lord and the pleasures of this world at the same time. They are trying to walk two roads, which can only lead to disaster in the end.
Adrian Rogers is credited with saying, the ways of this world will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you’re willing to pay.
Before we dig into this passage we need to look at the meaning of some words John uses.
There is an old West African proverb which says, "The man who tries to walk two roads will split his pants."
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
Let’s begin today by looking at the meaning of two Greek words John uses.
Before we dig into this passage we need to look at the meaning of some words John uses.
Before we dig into this passage we need to look at the meaning of some words John uses.
Love – the Greek word John uses here is AG-GU-PAW-O and its definition is; “To like or love something on the basis of a high regard for its value or importance — to love to, to like to, to take pleasure in.”
That’s the way it is with those who try to live for the Lord and the pleasures of this world at the same time. They are trying to walk two roads, which can only lead to disaster in the end.
It’s the same Greek word used in
Adrian Rogers is credited with saying, the ways of this world will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you’re willing to pay.
for they loved human praise more than praise from God.
World — the Greek word is KOS-MOS and points to “The ways, beliefs, morals, and systems of the people of the world who are in conflict and rebellion against God, His ways, and His people.”
It’s the same Greek word John uses in
It’s the same Greek word John uses in
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
This is what Paul is writing about in
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Here in Paul is speaking about the sphere dominated by evil, sinfulness, and ignorance of God and His ways; understood as the absence of light
If you remember John wrote abut the light and darkness in .
What John writes to us here fits perfectly with the old saying, “Love the sinner, but hate the sin” and with God’s command and expectation for us to become more Christ-like daily as we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ as the person of the Holy Spirit transformed us by the renewing of our minds.
What John writes to us here fits perfectly with the old saying, “Love the sinner, but hate the sin” and with God’s command and expectation for us to become more Christ-like daily as we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ as the person of the Holy Spirit transformed us by the renewing of our minds.
You see, as we grow and mature daily in our faith, in our relationship with Jesus Christ we should find that we are more and more repulsed, nauseated, and sickened by the ways, beliefs, morals, and systems of the people of the world who are in conflict and rebellion against God. We should also realize that our love for the people themselves and our concern for their salvation is growing.
Why should these two changes happen in us?
Because as we grow and mature in our relationship with Christ and as the person of the Holy Spirit transforms our minds we should begin loving the non-churched and unsaved in the same way Jesus does and likewise we should find ourselves developing the same attitudes as Jesus in regards to the darkness of this world.
This truth leads right into John second sentence in verse 15.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
Let’s switch John’s statement in to a question.
How can anyone who claims to love the Father continue to live in and love the dark, evil, sinful ways, beliefs, morals, and systems of a world that is in conflict and rebellion with the God they are claiming to love and follow?
And furthermore, how can our love and concern for those Jesus Christ died for not grow.
Because our God is just, righteous, and holy:
He will not let those who claim to be His have their cake — choosing the light of heaven -- and eat it too — continuing to live in the darkness of the world .
He will not put up with those who claim to be His people worshiping and serving two masters.
And, I do not believe He will tolerate, for long, those who cheepen His Son’s work on the cross by refusing to share it with the unsaved in the world all because they are rejecting the Holy Spirit’s attempts to make them more Christ-like by grow in them Christ’s love and attitude toward those still living in darkness.
In 1952 a probation officer in New York City tried to find an organization that would assist in the adoption of a twelve-year-old boy. Although the child had a religious background, none of the major denominations would assist in his adoption. Said the officer later, “His case had been reported to me because he had been truant. I tried for a year to find an agency that would care for this needy youngster. Neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jewish institutions would take him because he came from a denomination they did not recognize. I could do nothing constructive for him.”
If the principles of Christian love had prevailed in the Bronx in 1952, perhaps a good home could have been found for that young, mixed-up lad. In fact, providing a better environment in which to grow up might have changed history. For, you see, the boy was Lee Harvey Oswald: The man who assassinated John F. Kennedy.
You see, it is imperative that we understand what John is telling us. If we are true sons and daughters of God, struggling daily to grow in our faith and relationship with Jesus Christ by allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us by the renewing of our minds, then our love and care for those outside the kingdom of God will be growing and our love for the dark, evil, sinful ways, beliefs, morals, and systems used by the people in the world, still under the control of Satan will be fading away.
I think it’s fitting to say that this concept is both amazing and a little scary.
If the principles of Christian love had prevailed in the Bronx in 1952, perhaps a good home could have been found for that young, mixed-up lad. In fact, providing a better environment in which to grow up might have changed history. For, you see, the boy was Lee Harvey Oswald: The man who assassinated John F. Kennedy
I think it’s fitting to say that this concept is both amazing and a little scary.
If the principles of Christian love had prevailed in the Bronx in 1952, perhaps a good home could have been found for that young, mixed-up lad. In fact, providing a better environment in which to grow up might have changed history. For, you see, the boy was Lee Harvey Oswald: The man who assassinated John F. Kennedy
If the principles of Christian love had prevailed in the Bronx in 1952, perhaps a good home could have been found for that young, mixed-up lad. In fact, providing a better environment in which to grow up might have changed history. For, you see, the boy was Lee Harvey Oswald: The man who assassinated John F. Kennedy
I think it’s fitting to say that this concept is both amazing and a little scary.
John continues by defining worldliness.
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
I think it’s fitting to say that this concept is both amazing and a little scary.
What exactly is worldliness?
Worldliness is the lust of the flesh (a passion for sensual satisfaction), the lust of the eyes (an inordinate desire for the finer things of life), and the pride of life (self-satisfaction in who we are, what we have, and what we have done).
Worldliness, then, is a preoccupation with ease and affluence. It elevates creature comfort to the point of idolatry-- large salaries and comfortable life-styles become necessities of life.
Worldliness is reading magazines about people who live hedonistic lives and spend too much money on themselves and wanting to be like them. But more importantly, worldliness is simply pride and selfishness in disguises. It’s being resentful when someone snubs us or patronizes us or shows off. It means smarting under every slight, challenging every word spoken against us, cringing when another is preferred before us. Worldliness is harboring grudges, nursing grievance, and wallowing in self-pity. These are the ways in which we are most like the world.
James speaks of worldliness in terms of friendship in
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
James uses the same Greek word for world as John does KOS-MOS.
John tells us this worldliness comes not from the Father, but, rather, from the world, the KOS-MOS.
God’s wants His people to live the live of a victor who has the power to overcome this world and conqueror evil. He wants His people to live abundant lives free from bondage and sin.
And, by cutting the chains that allowed Satan to hold us in bondage in the darkness of this world and by severing the sinful nature that held us in bondage to sin He has made this overcoming, conquering, abundant lifestyle possible.
Through the work of Jesus Christ upon the cross God has made it possible for those who choose to live for Him to live lives free of bondage and sin.
But, far too often, many who claim to be children of God, because of their own choices, cannot find God’s abundant life and the freedom it should bring. Instead, they find themselves living lives of defeat, void of victory, unable to overcome even the smallest of things, all because they refuse to let go of the world and let God.
Moody said that some people are trying to live by faith as though they are paddling hard in a row boat, while all along their tie-down is still fastened securely to the dock. He declared, "They are tied to this world. Cut the cord! Set yourself free from the clogging weight of earthly things, and you will soon go on."
Are you tied to the weight of earthly things, and, therefore, lack the freedom to go where God wants you to go and do the things God wants you to do? Can you feel the weight of Satan’s chains of bondage? Is the guilt of continual defeat in the arena of sin pushing you lower and lower. Does achieving victory through conquering the evil of this world seem impossible?
Moody said that some people are trying to live by faith as though they are paddling hard in a row boat, while all along their tie-down is still fastened securely to the dock. He declared, "They are tied to this world. Cut the cord! Set yourself free from the clogging weight of earthly things, and you will soon go on."
Are you tied to the weight of earthly things, and lack the freedom to follow where God tells you to go? Can you feel the weight of the world’s bondage? The Lord wants you to live as free, not tethered to anything of this world (, )
Well listen up because John wants to tell you one more thing about this world.
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
John wants you to know and understand that the things of this world that you tethered to, that you’re holding on to, that you’re having a hard time letting go of, are all going to pass away. They’re going to disappear.
“Finns, people from Finland, who can’t get enough of winter swarmed to the northern town of Kemi for the opening of a sprawling ice castle that features a theatre, a playground, an art gallery, and a chapel.
“Thirty workers took three months to build a castle with 13-foot walls stretching for 1650 feet.
“An Orthodox Church chapel, hewn from ice, has been booked for weddings and christenings. The theater has a capacity of 3000 and features rock and pop concerts, musicals, modern dance, opera recitals, and popular operas.
Here’s the kicker.
“Construction and upkeep costs are estimated to be $1.1 million, yet the castle always melts sometime in mid-April.
“The melting ice serves as a reminder that all the material things in this world will one day pass away.”
Why is it so important for us to know this? Because God wants us to let go of the things that are tangible, things that are going to disappear, because if we do not we will not be able to spend all of eternity with Him, and He does not want that for any person.
Therefore, God, through John, is saying to us, Let go and let Me — let go of all the tangible, disappearing things and take hold of the eternal riches God offers through Jesus Christ and begin living Abundant Lives, free from Satan’s bondage, free from the control of our old sin nature; lives that are marked by and exemplify the victories of overcoming and conquering through the power of God delivered to us by the indwelling person of the Holy Spirit, which was made available to us through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
So, through John, God is saying to us, Let go and let Me — let go of all the tangible, disappearing things and take hold of the eternal riches God offers through Jesus Christ and begin living Abundant Lives, free from Satan’s bondage, free from the control of our old sin nature; lives that are marked by and exemplify the victories of overcoming and conquering through the power of God delivered to us by the indwelling person of the Holy Spirit, which was made available to us through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
So, through John, God is saying to us, Let go and let Me — let go of all the tangible, disappearing things and take hold of the eternal riches God offers through Jesus Christ and begin living Abundant Lives, free from Satan’s bondage, free from the control of our old sin nature; lives that are marked by and exemplify the victories of overcoming and conquering through the power of God delivered to us by the indwelling person of the Holy Spirit, which was made available to us through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
And, when we do this the true love of God will dwell in us richly and the promise and hope of heaven will dwell in our hearts.
of you down?The Lord wants you to live as free, not tethered to anything of this world (, )
That being said, there are two questions we need to consider.
How does this mesh with the old saying — “Hate the sin, but love the sinner?”The second question has to do with Jesus’ love and value for all people.
Jesus loved and valued all humankind so much that He died on the cross so all humanity would have the opportunity to live froever in heaven.
John begins with a statement that would evoke a response of “Do Not What” out of many people, including some Christians.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
Let’s begin today by looking at the meaning of two Greek words John uses.
Do not love the world or anything in the world.
Let’s begin today by looking at the meaning of two Greek words John uses.
Love – the Greek word John uses here is AG-GU-PAW-O and its definition is; “To like or love something on the basis of a high regard for its value or importance — to love to, to like to, to take pleasure in.”
It’s the same Greek word used in
for they loved human praise more than praise from God.
, for they loved human praise more than praise from God.
, for they loved human praise more than praise from God.
World — the Greek word is KOS-MOS and points to “The ways, beliefs, morals, and systems of the people of the world who are in conflict and rebellion against God, His ways, and His people.”
It’s the same Greek word John uses in
, We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
This is what Paul is writing about in , Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
This is what Paul is writing about in
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Here in Paul is speaking about the sphere dominated by evil, sinfulness, and ignorance of God and His ways; understood as the absence of light
Here in Paul is speaking about the sphere dominated by evil, sinfulness, and ignorance of God and His ways; understood as the absence of light
If you remember, John wrote about the light and darkness in .
What John writes to us here fits perfectly with the old saying, “Love the sinner, but hate the sin” and with God’s command and expectation for us to become more Christ-like daily as we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ as the person of the Holy Spirit transforming us by the renewing of our minds.
You see, as we grow and mature daily in our faith, in our relationship with Jesus Christ we should find that we are more and more repulsed, nauseated, and sickened by the ways, beliefs, morals, and systems of the people of the world who are in conflict and rebellion against God. We should also realize that our love for the people themselves and our concern for their salvation is growing.
Why should these two changes happen in us?
Because as we grow and mature in our relationship with Christ and as the person of the Holy Spirit transforms our minds we should begin loving the non-churched and unsaved in the same way Jesus does and likewise we should find ourselves developing the same attitudes as Jesus in regard to the darkness of this world.
This truth leads right into John’s second sentence in verse 15.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
Let’s switch John’s statement in to a question.
Let’s switch John’s statement in to a question.
How can anyone who claims to love the Father continue to live in and love the dark, evil, sinful ways, beliefs, morals, and systems of a world that is in conflict and rebellion with the God they are claiming to love and follow?
And furthermore, how can our love and concern for those Jesus Christ died for not grow.
Because our God is just, righteous, and holy:
He will not let those who claim to be His have their cake — choosing the light of heaven -- and eat it too — continuing to live in the darkness of the world.
He will not put up with those who claim to be His people worshiping and serving two masters.
And, I do not believe He will tolerate, for long, those who cheapen His Son’s work on the cross by refusing to share it with the unsaved in the world all because they are rejecting the Holy Spirit’s attempts to make them more Christ-like by growing in them Christ’s love and attitude toward those still living in darkness.
In 1952 a probation officer in New York City tried to find an organization that would assist in the adoption of a twelve-year-old boy. Although the child had a religious background, none of the major denominations would assist in his adoption. Said the officer later, “His case had been reported to me because he had been truant. I tried for a year to find an agency that would care for this needy youngster. Neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jewish institutions would take him because he came from a denomination they did not recognize. I could do nothing constructive for him.”
If the principles of Christian love had prevailed in the Bronx in 1952, perhaps a good home could have been found for that young, mixed-up lad. In fact, providing a better environment in which to grow up might have changed history. For, you see, the boy was Lee Harvey Oswald: The man who assassinated John F. Kennedy.
You see, it is imperative that we understand what John is telling us. If we are true sons and daughters of God, struggling daily to grow in our faith and relationship with Jesus Christ by allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us by the renewing of our minds, then our love and care for those outside the kingdom of God will be growing and our love for the dark, evil, sinful ways, beliefs, morals, and systems used by the people in the world, still under the control of Satan will be fading away.
I think it’s fitting to say that this concept is both amazing and a little scary.
John continues by defining worldliness.
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
NIV
What exactly is worldliness?
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
What exactly is worldliness?
Worldliness is the lust of the flesh (a passion for sensual satisfaction), the lust of the eyes (an inordinate desire for the finer things of life), and the pride of life (self-satisfaction in who we are, what we have, and what we have done).
Worldliness, then, is a preoccupation with ease and affluence. It elevates creature comfort to the point of idolatry-- large salaries and comfortable life-styles become necessities of life.
Worldliness is reading magazines about people who live hedonistic lives and spend too much money on themselves and wanting to be like them. But more importantly, worldliness is simply pride and selfishness in disguises. It’s being wincing when someone snubs us or patronizes us or shows off. It means smarting under every slight, challenging every word spoken against us, cringing when another is preferred before us.
Worldliness is harboring grudges, nursing grievance, and wallowing in self-pity. These are the ways in which we are most like the world.
James speaks of worldliness in terms of friendship in
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
, You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James uses the same Greek word for world as John does KOS-MOS.
James uses the same Greek word for world as John does KOS-MOS.
John tells us this worldliness comes not from the Father, but, rather, from the world, the KOS-MOS.
God’s wants His people to live the live of a victor who has the power to overcome this world and conqueror evil. He wants His people to live abundant lives free from bondage and sin.
And, by cutting the chains that allowed Satan to hold us in bondage in the darkness of this world and by severing the sinful nature that held us in bondage to sin He has made this overcoming, conquering, abundant lifestyle possible.
Through the work of Jesus Christ upon the cross God has made it possible for those who choose to live for Him to live lives free of bondage and sin.
But, far too often, many who claim to be children of God, because of their own choices, cannot find God’s abundant life and the freedom it should bring. Instead, they find themselves living lives of defeat, void of victory, unable to overcome even the smallest of things, all because they refuse to let go of the world and let God.
Moody said that some people are trying to live by faith as though they are paddling hard in a row boat, while all along their tie-down is still fastened securely to the dock. He declared, "They are tied to this world. Cut the cord! Set yourself free from the clogging weight of earthly things, and you will soon go on."
Are you tied to the weight of earthly things, and, therefore, lack the freedom to go where God wants you to go and do the things God wants you to do? Can you feel the weight of Satan’s chains of bondage? Is the guilt of continual defeat in the arena of sin pushing you lower and lower. Does achieving victory through conquering the evil of this world seem impossible?
Well listen up because John wants to tell you one more thing about this world that may help you let go of it.
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
John wants you to know and understand that the things of this world that you’re tethered to, that you’re holding on to, that you’re having a hard time letting go of, are all going to pass away. They’re going to disappear.
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
John wants you to know and understand that the things of this world that you’re tethered to, that you’re holding on to, that you’re having a hard time letting go of, are all going to pass away. They’re going to disappear.
“Finns, people from Finland, who can’t get enough of winter swarmed to the northern town of Kemi for the opening of a sprawling ice castle that features a theatre, a playground, an art gallery, and a chapel.
“Thirty workers took three months to build a castle with 13-foot walls stretching for 1650 feet.
“An Orthodox Church chapel, hewn from ice, has been booked for weddings and christenings. The theater has a capacity of 3000 and features rock and pop concerts, musicals, modern dance, opera recitals, and popular operas.
But here’s the kicker.
“Construction and upkeep costs are estimated to be $1.1 million, yet the castle always melts sometime in mid-April.
“The melting ice serves as a reminder that all the material things in this world will one day pass away.”
Why is it so important for us to know this? Because God wants us to let go of the things that are tangible, things that are going to disappear, because if we do not we will not be able to spend all of eternity with Him, and He does not want that for any person.
Therefore, God, through John, is saying to us, let go and let Me — let go of all the tangible, disappearing things of this world.
Things like:
Materialism – Toyism – Greed – Covetousness – bigger and betterism – and learn to be content with what the Lord has given us. I’m not saying improvements in our material world are bad, but when these things interferes with our walk with Christ they become sin and a snare for Satan.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
We need to let go of pride – arrogance – egotism – conceit – and attitudes of superiority, and come to a realization that, from God’s perspective, we are no better or worse than any other person. We, at one time, like every other person, either have stood or are standing before God, destined for hell, and in need of a savior.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
We need to work at ridding ourselves of fleshly gratification, which is part of the lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes category John speaks about.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
We need to work at ridding ourselves of fleshly gratification, which is part of the lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes category John speaks about.
It includes, but is not limited to – lustful thoughts – premarital sex – adultery – all types of sexual perversion – homosexually – open marriages – orgies, and other such things.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
These examples are by no means conclusive, but through them I hope you realize the same thing I did – I have a lot of work left to do.
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
These examples are by no means conclusive, but through them I hope you realize the same thing I did – I have a lot of work left to do.
What John is saying here in so simply, yet extremely difficult, and would be impossible without the power of the indwelling person of the Holy Spirit.
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Thanks be to God that He sent to all who believe in Jesus Christ the gift of the Spirit, with all it power, to assist us as we let go and let God by taking hold of the eternal riches God offers through Jesus Christ and begin living Abundant Lives, free from Satan’s bondage, free from the control of our old sin nature; lives that are marked by and exemplify the victories of overcoming and conquering through the power of God delivered to us by the indwelling person of the Holy Spirit, which was made available to us through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
Thanks be to God that He sent to all who believe in Jesus Christ the gift of the Spirit, with all it power, to assist us as we let go and let God by taking hold of the eternal riches God offers through Jesus Christ and begin living Abundant Lives, free from Satan’s bondage, free from the control of our old sin nature; lives that are marked by and exemplify the victories of overcoming and conquering through the power of God delivered to us by the indwelling person of the Holy Spirit, which was made available to us through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
And, when we do this the true love of God will dwell in us richly and the promise and hope of heaven will dwell in our hearts.