Bible Study on 1John 2, verses 12 to 17, Love not the world

 

1John 2:12 ¶  I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. 13  I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14  I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 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. 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. 17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Again, perhaps addressing new converts, John reminds them that their sins are forgiven for the sake of Christ’s name. Again, if fathers by contrast addresses more mature Christians and elders he warns all about the dangers of buying into the world system. He counts on them to be strong in their faith, opposing Satan and absorbed by God’s word.

Psalm 119:11  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

John lists some things that are the conditions by which we are drawn to the world.

These things listed are the very things that tempted Adam and Eve at the beginning; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

Genesis 3:6 ¶  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

When our focus is on pleasing our flesh, on what appeals to our eyes, and what makes us held in high esteem by other people we become mired in the world. The world will pass away but the person who is focused on God’s will, will live forever.

Luke 16:15  And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.