1 John 2:15-17 New American Standard Bible
Do Not Love the World
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Today, we are going to delve into a topic that is as relevant today as it was when the Apostle John first penned his letters – living with a heavenly conscious, the world’s allurements vs. god’s promises, and preparing for our eternal place.
Christian missionary, author, and speaker Elisabeth Elliot once wrote,
“Heaven is not here, it’s There. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself, His still invisible Kingdom, where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for.”
Living with a Heavenly Conscious
Living with a heavenly conscious is a concept that calls for us to shift our focus and priorities from temporal to the eternal, from the earthly to the heavenly.
It is a call to live in the present with an awareness of our future destination.
It is about understanding that our time on earth is temporary and that our true home is in heaven with our Father.
This understanding should influence our decisions, actions, and attitudes.
Colossians 3:2: Paul admonishes us to “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
This scripture is a clear directive for us to live with a heavenly consciousness.
It is a call to prioritize spiritual matters over worldly concerns.
It’s about recognizing our earthly life is a journey towards our eternal home.
Not overly attached to the things of this world: It means that our ultimate goal is not to amass wealth, attain worldly success, or seek earthly pleasures.
Instead, our ultimate goal is to live in a manner that pleases God and prepares us for eternity.
This does not mean that we should neglect our earthly responsibilities or shun worldly possessions.
Rather, it means that these things should not be our primary focus or source of satisfaction.
What is the explanation of 1 John 2 15 17?
Three incentives in the text (1 John 2:15–17):
Loving the world is incompatible with the Father’s love (“the love of the Father is not in him”).
The world and its desires are passing away—it’s a bad investment.
Doing God’s will abides forever—eternal durability beats temporary payoff.
Live with an awareness of God’s presence in our lives: We recognize that God is with us in every situation, guiding us, comforting us, and providing for us.
We live with a sense of gratitude, knowing that every good thing we have comes from God.
We also live with a sense of responsibility, knowing that we are stewards of God’s gifts and that we will one day give an account of how we used these gifts.
Live with a sense of hope: Despite the challenges and difficulties we face in this world, we have hope because we know that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).
We hope because we know our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
We have hope because we know we have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, kept in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:4).
Not a call to escapism or a denial of reality: It is a call to live in the reality of God’s kingdom.
It is a call to live with a perspective that transcends the temporal and embraces the eternal.
It is a call to live with a consciousness of our identity as citizens of heaven.
Preparing for Our Eternal Place
As believers, we are called to live with an eternal perspective, always preparing for our eternal place.
This preparation is not about earning our place in heaven, for that is a gift freely given through the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Rather, it is about our living in a way that reflects our heavenly citizenship even while we are still here on earth.
Philippians 3:20: Paul reminds us that
“our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
This means that while we live in this world, we are not of this world.
Our actions, decisions, and lifestyle should reflect the values of our heavenly home, not the temporary allurements of this world.
A daily surrender to God’s will:
It means seeking His kingdom first in all things (Matthew 6:33).
It involves making decisions that may not make sense to the world but are in line with God’s Word and His will for our lives.
It means living a life of love, kindness, and forgiveness, mirroring the character of Christ in all we do.
Storing up treasures in heaven and not on earth:
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus warns us not to store up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but to store up treasures in heaven.
Our investments should not be solely in earthly possessions or achievements but in the things that have eternal value – our relationship with God, our love for others, our service to the kingdom of God.
Living with the end in mind: It means living each day as if it could be our last, always ready to meet our Maker.
This involves constant self-examination, repentance, and striving to live a life pleasing to God.
It means living in the light of eternity, knowing that this world is temporary and fleeting, but our eternal home is forever.
Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others:
We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, to share the hope we have in Him with a world that is lost and dying.
Our preparation for eternity is not a solitary journey but one that we should invite others to join.
By sharing the gospel, we help others prepare for their eternal place as well.
Remember that the allurements of this world are only temporary and fleeting.
They can never satisfy the deep longing within our hearts that only God can fill.
Let’s strive to live with a heavenly consciousness, always looking forward to the eternal place that God has prepared for us.
Let’s not settle for just the temporary pleasures of this world, but let’s pursue the eternal promises of God.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Praying …..
The Lord, the Psalmist’s Portion in Life and Salvation in Death.
A [a]Mikhtam of David.
16 Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You.
2 [b]I said to the Lord, “You are [c]my Lord;
I have nothing good besides You.”
3 As for the [d]saints who are on the earth,
[e]They are the majestic ones; all my delight is in them.
4 [f]The pains of those who have acquired another god will be multiplied;
I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
Nor will I take their names upon my lips.
5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.
6 The measuring lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my inheritance is beautiful to me.
7 I will bless the Lord who has advised me;
Indeed, my [g]mind instructs me in the night.
8 I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
10 For You will not abandon my soul to [h]Sheol;
You will not [i]allow Your [j]Holy One to [k]undergo decay.
11 You will make known to me the way of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 