Love not the world
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. 1 John 2:15
This is a straightforward direction from the Apostle John. He says don’t love the world or the things in it. Sounds pretty simple and self explanatory, but what does it really mean to “love” the world? Obviously it not a physical love but it is a love for physical things.
When I read this verse, it makes me think of Lot’s wife when they were being rushed out of the city of Sodom before it was destroyed. She had such a love for that place that she couldn’t stop looking at it. Even after being warned not to look back, she could not resist because that is where her heart was. (Genesis 19)
It is the same way with us today. If the things of the world are what hold our heart, that is where our love will be also. Verse 16 actually tells us what the love for the world is. It says the lust of the flesh (wanting your own way), the lust of the eyes (wanting everything you see) and the pride of life (wanting to be or appear to be important). What it all boils down to is if we go through this life preoccupied with selfishness, we are only thinking about what the world has to offer “me” instead of what I have to offer the world. That is a Savior.
Today I want to encourage you to examine your heart and the intentions of it. Are you living only to satisfy the desires of your heart? Or are you seeking first the Kingdom of God and those He desires for you to help in this life. If you have in the past thought that life was all about hanging on and getting through the best you can, the good news is that can change today. Have a change of heart right now and turn your desires over to God and ask Him for a fresh start. Begin to commit each day to Him and ask Him to bring people into your life that you can help and encourage in some way. Then when people do come your way, don’t walk by them, stop and offer God’s love and a helping hand.
Today’s scripture reading: 1 John 2:12-17
The Daily Dose 