Lesson 55 November 14

The reasons for the prohibition to stop loving the world (2:15b-17).

John gives us here three reasons believers should not love the world:

(1) because it reveals ones personal condition (v. l5b);

(2) because of the character of the world (v. 16);

(3) because of the contrasted ends (v.17).

#1 The personal condition revealed by love of the world (v. 15b).

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

John presents a hypothetical situation to illustrate "If any man love the world"

The conclusion declares negatively the reality of his spiritual condition- "the love of the Father is not in him"

#2 The character or nature of the things in the world (v. 16).

John details the components of the world that we as believers are not to love. Points out for us the contrast with what our lives should be as believers.

The following three phrases are an unfolding of the character of these things: the mindset of 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."

The first component is the "the lust of the flesh."

"The lust of the flesh" denotes what?

The second component is the "the lust of the eyes."

This has to do with desire for things that we see, things which catch our eye. The emphasis is on external attractiveness without examination of the underlying values.

"The lust of the eyes" then is associated with what?

The third component is the "The boastful pride of life"

It is the arrogant attitude by which people think more highly of themselves than they ought. It is the ambition to center one's life around self rather than God.

Having set forth the nature of "all that is in the world," John concludes his sentence with a double assertion concerning the source of this moral depravity: doesn't want anyone to miss it!

"is not of the Father, but is of the world"

#3. The contrasted ends (v.17).

On the one hand is the transitory nature of the world: "And the world is passing away, and also its lusts;"

Over against the transitory nature of the world stands the abiding life of the true believer: "but the one who does the will of God abides forever."

The abiding life of fellowship with God/F and Christ gives us the assurance of permanence even amid the present scene of change and decay that surrounds us.

When our lives are shaped by the word of God and obedience to it we will not be affected by the passing away of the world and all of its vain and empty desires.