1 John 2:15-17

Do not Love The World -

1 John 2:15–17 ESV

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 desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

What is the world?

The New American Commentary: 1, 2, 3 John (1) Beware of the World (2:15–17)

an evil organized earthly system controlled by the power of the evil one that has aligned itself against God and his kingdom

Why does he separate the “world” from the “things in the world”?

To love the world is to love the system of evil which is opposed to God and to love the things of the world is to love the pleasures and benefits that system brings.

What are some examples of loving the world and loving the things of the world?

How can God love the world () and we be condemned if we too love the world?

The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God C. The Love of God for the World

God’s love for the world is commendable because it manifests itself in awesome self-sacrifice; our love for the world is repulsive when it lusts for evil participation. God’s love for the world is praiseworthy because it brings the transforming Gospel to it; our love for the world is ugly because we seek to be conformed to the world. God’s love for the world issues in certain individuals being called out from the world and into the fellowship of Christ’s followers; our love for the world is sickening where we wish to be absorbed into the world.

What two reasons does John give for not loving the world?

Warning Concerning Antichrists -

1 John 2:18–27 ESV

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Let is spend some time in prayer. Ask God to teach us what is true and to help us not be deceived by those who would try to damage our faith. Ask him also to show us if there is love for the world in our heart. Pray the Holy Spirit would remove this love and replace it with love from and for God.