Quote:
Originally Posted by stmatthew
1Jo 2:15 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.
1Jo 2:16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jo 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
I have been meditating on this text the last few days, and thought it might be a good discussion topic.
What in your view is the "world" that we are not supposed to love? Can you give some examples of what you feel this text is speaking about concerning the "world"?
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The key seems to be found in verse 16 when it speaks of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These are referring to inordintate desires which are not compatibale to one who would "Seek firts the kingdom fo God and His righteousness."
It speaks to the process of "bringing every thought into captivity unto the knowledge of Christ." When one has adequately done that then they "are in the world, but not of the world."
Also, the word love is of significance. Perhaps to better understand what the writer is saying we would remember that Jesus said "He that hateth nor mother, father, sister, etc..." We know He was not speaking of detesting or disliking, but rather "to love less." It would seem reasonable here that the writer is saying that one cannot love these things more than God.
For the cause of love and hate both folks have been drawn away form a roght relationship with God.