Day 508: Misplaced love - 1 John 2 vs 15 - 17

15 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. 16 For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world.  17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides for ever. 1 John 2:15-17 English Standard Version

The apostle John had been a fervent disciple of Jesus when He was in the world and would have been present when Jesus said: “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal . . . for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:19-24) And over the years John realized that Jesus’ words didn't only apply to money. What else does he say they warn against? (vs 16)

The King James Bible and the New International Version translate the word 'desires' as 'lust'. In other words, John is speaking of deep yearnings inside a person for all that the world has to offer. He would also have remembered how Jesus warned people that  “It's what comes from inside that defiles you - for from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,  adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.” (Mark 7: 20-22)

When John speaks of the world and the things in the world – he used a word in the Greek language (kosmos) that didn't just mean the physical part of the world, things such as the mountains, rivers and the sea. It was also used to describe the pattern of the world. The way people of the world think. That Greek word is the root of our English word cosmetics. It's as if people have applied makeup to make the sins of the world look very attractive. But what does John say the ultimate destiny of this present world, and of the things people eagerly pursue, will be? (vs 17)

Wonderful as our physical world is – it's current form will come to an end. And, as exciting as wealth and wild living may look on the surface, they also have no lasting value. Listen to how the apostle Peter put this. He said: “The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But, in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him. (2 Peter 3:10-14)

It boils down to the question of where our love is placed. We can't love the Father and also love things in the world that are hateful to Him. If anyone is madly rushing after sinful pleasures and worldly treasures they obviously love those things more than God, and the Father's deep love has not captured their affections. They love what has been created more than the Creator Himself.

This doesn't mean that we don't, or can't, admire the beauty of the wonderful natural world God made. Jesus remarked on such beauty when He said: “Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.” (Matthew 6:28-29) And in Psalm 104:24 the writer says: “O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.” But even these things ought to cause us to place our love fully upon the One who displays such love in all that He provides.