1 John 2:12-17

Love God, Not the World

1 John 2:12–14 ESV

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

This is a word of encouragement and exhortation.

Children, Fathers, Young Men: I believe represent different stages or spiritual maturity.

Your sins are forgiven you for His Name’s sake. Jesus has paid for your sins, He has quenched God’s wrath for you. Your faith in Him has pardoned you from all sin.

You have known Him who is from the beginning, you have known the Father.

1 John 2:3 ESV

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.

You have overcome the wicked one because you are strong through Christ, and the word of God abides in you.

1 John 2:10 ESV

Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.

John 8:31–32 ESV

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

These words are to reinforce who they are in Christ, who we are in Christ.

That we have an eternal inheritance as children of God.

We need nothing else, we need nothing from this world.

The world has nothing to offer us, that we need.

Philippians 4:19 ESV

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

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.

Exalting Jesus in 1,2,3 John Know What the World Offers but Cannot Give (1 John 2:15–17)

What he is telling us is we are not to love and idolize thoughts, values, and behaviors that are contrary to God’s Word (v. 14) and His will (v. 17). Things that appeal to our sinful flesh (e.g., drug abuse, drunkenness, gluttony, abundance of possessions, sexual perversions, etc.) and are fleeting and passing are not to be the things that we live for.

Genesis 3:6 ESV

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Exalting Jesus in 1,2,3 John The World Cannot Give You What It Promises (1 John 2:16)

Genesis 3:6 says, “Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food [lust of the flesh] and delightful to look at [lust of the eyes], and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom [the pride of life].” These same three weapons were conquered by Christ, the second Adam, in His temptation in the wilderness. Luke 4:1–13 explains that the Devil beckoned Him to “tell this stone to become bread” (Luke 4:3), which is the lust of the flesh. Then he “showed Him all the kingdoms of the world” (Luke 4:5), tempting Jesus with the lust of the eyes. Finally, from the pinnacle of the temple, the Devil challenged him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you, and they will support you with their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone” (Luke 4:9–10). But even the pride of life could not lead the Savior into sin.

When we love the things of this world, we make excuses for it. We start lying to ourselves about it, thinking well its ok because ??? So we justify doing things that we know is outside of God’s will.

We do what we want, instead of what God wants. Because we have been drawn in by the lust of the flesh, the lust of our eyes, the pride of life.

Exalting Jesus in 1,2,3 John The World Cannot Give You What It Promises (1 John 2:16)

Jesus sets for us a beautiful counter example. Concerning pride in birth and rank, He was a carpenter’s son (Matt 13:55), a poor family’s child (Luke 2:24; see Lev 12:8). Concerning pride in possessions, He said, “The Son of Man has no place to lay His head” (Matt 8:20). Concerning pride in pedigree, it was said of Him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Concerning pride in people, it was said of Him, “[He is] a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matt 11:19). Concerning pride in intellect, He said, “As the Father taught Me, I say these things” (John 8:28). Concerning pride in self-will, He said, “If You are willing, take this cup away from Me—nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

Exalting Jesus in 1,2,3 John The World Cannot Give You What Will Last (1 John 2:17)

Things of the World

Things of the Father

• The focus is on me.

• The focus is on God.

• Make as much money as possible.

• Give as much money away as possible, and spend even yourself on others.

• Live comfortably.

• Life is not about comfort, but about doing hard things now so that we can reap rewards in the life to come.

• Make a name for yourself.

• Make His name great.

• Do whatever makes you happiest.

• Do whatever makes God happiest.

• Teach your children to love themselves and seek self-fulfillment.

• Teach your children to love and obey God. (“Behaving” is often, but not always, a blessed by-product.)

• Look like a model in a magazine and turn your physical appearance into an idol.

• Treat your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit, and cultivate an inner beauty.

• Offer “acts of service” when you feel like it (on your terms).

• Be a servant, even when it is uncomfortable or inconvenient.

• Stay married as long as your spouse meets your needs.

• Serve your spouse (the way Christ modeled servanthood), and choose to love him or her for life.

• Come across as powerful, influential, and/or interesting.

• Give preference to others in words and actions.

• Use (worldly) wisdom to accrue wealth.

• Value true wisdom (which is the fear of God) over all the treasures on earth.

• Stay up to date with the fashions.

• Be content just to have clothes.

• The things of the world are passing away.

• The things of the Father will abide forever.

• I do the will of the world.

• I do the will of the Father.

Dont be enticed to fall in love with the things of the world, but be in awe of the Love of God and allow His love for you to increase your love for Him.