1 John 2

Scripture1 John 2:15-17¹⁵ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. ¹⁶ For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.Observation - What does it say?I love the way The Message version paraphrases this passage:Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.Understanding - What does it mean?We’re at a fork in the road. We are forced to make a decision between two options: Love the world and it’s ways (which is all about living for myself) OR do the will of God. One road leads to passing away, the other to living forever. And, this isn’t a one time decision. Following Jesus and doing his will is an ongoing decision we’re forced to make in every situation throughout every day.Life ApplicationHow convicting! How often do I want my own way? Uh… always. How often to I want things for myself? If I’m honest... all the time. How often to I want to appear important to others? Again, pretty much always.  These desires continually become the driving motives that determine the decisions I make and the way I live.Do everything purely for the love of God. I long for the motive driving every one of my actions, every one of my words, to be my love for God.  “I’m picking up this piece of trash in the parking lot because I love you.” “I’m doing these dishes because I love you.” “I’m responding kindly to my wife because I love you.” “I’m driving the speed limit because I love you.” “I’m getting up early to pray because I love you.”

God, forgive me for my selfishness. You saved me and set me apart to live for you! Not myself. I’ve lived for myself and the result wasn’t good. I want to walk in the plans you have for my life! I want to do everything purely out of love for you. Help me to do your will today. Amen. 

- Levi Thompson

 

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