1 John 2:15-17
Introduction
: We stay in 1 John and address an interesting couple of verses.
Because 1 John 2:15-17 can create the image of an all-encompassing view, clarity is needed.
Greek word is
cosmos
is a big word, it covers a lot. =
What is at issue here is the facts that many of the things available to us become a competition against God.
The problem is that there are definitely things like Endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, etc., which although
hollow
and
frail
and
fleeting
,
stir desire
,
seduce
from God and are
obstacles
to the cause of Christ
Again, a good way to think about this is what pulls us away from God. Competition like I just said.
James 4:4 has a very similar theme,
‘
Adulterers and
1
adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.’ (NKJ)
Word friendship is
philia
.
You’ve all probably heard it said that Christians are ‘in, but not of,’ the world.
That primarily comes from a passage in John’s Gospel 7:14-19
Notice Jesus’s references to his disciples being “not of the world.” Verse 14:
“The world has hated them because
they are
not of the world
, just as I am
not of the world
.”
And there it is again in verse 16: “
They are
not of the world
, just as I am
not of the world
.”
Here’s a good impulse in the slogan “
in
, but not
of
.”
Question
: So, what exactly is John referring to?
I. The Worlds Values
The world can be conceived or understood as a system of values and goals from which God is excluded.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/spiritual-wisdom-secular-times/201105/worldly-and-spiritual-values-humankind-may-depend
Transition
: The second issue coming from John has to do with worldly cravings.
II. The Worlds Cravings
– verse 16
John specified its contents under three well-known phrases that effectively highlight the world’s false outlook. Men of the world live for the cravings of sinful man. “Cravings” translates ‘
epithymia’
, which is used twice in this verse and once in the next verse. The NIV translates it differently each time: “cravings,” “lust,” “desires.”
In the New Testament the word usually, though not always, connotes desires that are sinful
.
Transition
: The third problem that is considered worldly is its boastings.
III. The Worlds Boastings
– verse 16
The boasting of what he has and does paraphrases the Greek
he alazoneia tou biou
(lit., “the pretension of human life”), which signifies a proud and ostentatious way of life.
Pretension
= the laying of a claim to something. a claim or title to something.
Often
pretensions.
a claim made, especially indirectly or by implication, to some quality, merit
.
A claim to dignity, importance, or merit.
Christians ought to have nothing to do with such worldly perspectives as these.
IV. The Worlds Desires –
verse 17
1 John 2:17After all, the world and its desires (
epithymia
) are temporary and pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Conclusion
: So, is it ok to go to the prom, or a party or a crazy, loud sporting event or even a non-Christian concert? Is that loving the world?
The truth is that only you can answer that question and our answer needs to examine our values, cravings, boasting and desires.
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