The Weight of the World

The World:

“the new order of life inaugurated by Christ.”

In other word, life after experiencing the knowledge of God and forgiveness in Christ.

The new World vs. the old World is heralded here.

First Command:

“Do not love the world” meaning, the created universe, or life on earth; and human society, which is temporarily controlled by the power of evil, organized in opposition to God (f:19; 4:3-5 and .

Keep in mind, there is nothing wrong with God’s living creation as such

John 1:3 ESV

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:10 ESV

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

Genesis 1:31 ESV

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

This command in 1 John revolves around an attitude of “worldliness” : a determination to be anchored to a society which by nature does not know God, and is inclined to reject Him.

1 John 3:1 ESV

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

John 15:18–19 ESV

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John

John 17:25 ESV

O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.

Also keep in mind that their is no tension between God’s love of the world as in

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

This world remains the focus of God’s love with salvation as His end. His victory over the evil control exhibited here is certain.

So the world becomes a deceptive thing.

COVID 19: Rising fear. Ultimate Wisdom from His presence.

Right now, answers from normal sources is not enough. Right now, we need His presence. So, we should pray for His presence in this situation.

The World’s Things:

Everything in the World v. 16

Desires of the Flesh: Sinful desire. John uses the word “flesh” as a neutral term. Good or bad. Examples: Money, Technology

Craving what is seen.

Matthew 5:28 ESV

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Mattew 5:28

Pride in one’s life style