“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15
When John the Apostle wrote the Gospel of John, and penned the phrase, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,” he was not speaking of the “world” that later he would mention in his first letter. In John 3:16, we find that the word “world” speaks of all men for whom Christ died, loves, and desires and wills to save. In his epistle, John’s mention of the “world” is not this, but something which is a contradiction to God, in opposition to God, and that which He will never bless. John defines the world in this case as, first, “lust of the flesh.” (1 Jn. 2:16) These lusts are sinful desires that naturally manifest themselves in a soul, and life, of one whose “bent” is downward, because of the principle and law of sin that dominates the individual. This one is the prisoner of such desires which reveal themselves as being, not only outside of the boundaries of God’s will, provision, and purpose, but of a nature that defies that which is “good” in the sight of God. The danger in them lies in the domination of them in the life, as opposed to doing the will of God.
The second characteristic of loving the “world,” this world system over which Satan reigns, is called the “lust of the eyes.” The first unbridled lust has its origin in the flesh, and we might call it the seeking and domination by the pursuit of PLEASURE, manifested by the evident going beyond the bounds which God has set for man to truly know, live and enjoy. The “lust of the eyes” has to do with things, objects sought, the pursuit of which can dominate the life, and affect decisions in life, to the point that the will of God will not be sought, and certainly not done. This too is in opposition to the Father, who would not have the things of creation, or of man’s design, to dominate the life. Christ is the Lord of the life, not things. Paul, in some respects, addresses this issue when wrote to the Colossian believers: “Set your affection on things above, and not on things on the earth, for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:2) He goes on to speak of Christ being our life, not “things.” So, these things might be categorized as POSSESSIONS, or the desire to possess things, not realizing that in that pursuit, those very things can possess the soul.
The third characteristic of the “world,” this system where our enemy, Satan, rules, is called, “the pride of life.” If there is one sin that truly defies logic, it is the sin of pride. Pride is an inflated attitude of mind and heart whereby one thinks of himself as being more important than he is, often basing that assessment on his personal capacities and abilities. Sometimes that basis carries over in one’s comparing himself with others, religiously or not, and deeming himself as being better. Where this attitude truly manifests itself is in its attitude towards God, for it is a thought and disposition of rejection of God, and defiance of His authority in the life. This is why we might think of the “pride of life” as being the pursuit of “POSITION,” a position above others, and thus believing that any means of securing such a position is justified. Fundamentally, it is the pursuit of an authority that is not given by God, for the end of it is selfishness, and self-glory, rather than seeking the glory that is of God.
These three things characterize the “world,” a system by which Satan dominates men. It was Charles Wesley who wrote: “Dead to the world with all its toys, Its idle pomp, and fading joys, Jesus, my glory be.” The great, glorious issue is knowing Christ, and the love of the Father.
Dear Father, Give us Thy love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.