Do Not Love the World?

"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 lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John:2:15-17).

In the above passage, the Apostle John is not referring to the physical world, this glorious globe that the Lord fashioned for our use and enjoyment, and where we are mandated to have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and over the cattle. Rather, the passage speaks of the ungodly value system of the world. The self-aggrandizing, self-absorbed, dog-eat-dog, money-loving, vile, defiled, sex-obsessed, lustful, putrid, value system of the world which is controlled by that lying deceiver Satan and his fellow fallen angels.

Praise God that this world is passing away and that those who seek to do His will live in peace and harmony forever. As John 5:24 says, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."

Are you a seeker after God that has not yet decided to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? We serve and awesome God and He desires to have an intimate relationship with you. The following prayer, which was written by John Stott, might help you:

God, if you exist (and I don't know you do), and you can hear this prayer (and I don't know if you can), I want to tell you that I'm an honest seeker after truth. Show me if Jesus is your Son and the Savior of the world. And if you bring conviction to my mind, I will trust him as my Savior and follow him as my Lord.