"Do not love the world or anything in the world." 1 John 2:15
Why?
- Because the gain of it, is the loss of the soul--Matthew 16:25-26.
- Because its friendship is enmity to God--James 4:4.
- Because it did not know Christ--John 1:10; 17:25.
- Because it hates Christ--John 7:7; 15:18.
- Because the Holy Spirit has forbidden us--1 John 2:15.
- Because Christ did not pray for it--John 17:9.
- Because Christ's people do not belong to it--John 17:16.
- Because its Prince is Satan--John 13:31; 16:11.
- Because Christ's kingdom is not of it--John 18:36.
- Because its wisdom is foolishness--1 Corinthians 1:20.
- Because Christ does not belong to it--John 8:23.
- Because it is condemned--1 Corinthians 11:32.
- Because it is passing away--1 Corinthians 7:31.
- Because it slew Christ--James 5:6; Matthew 21:39.
- Because it is crucified to us--Galatians 6:14.
- Because we are crucified to it--Galatians 6:14.
- Because it is the seat of wickedness--2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 5:19.
- Because its god is the evil one--2 Corinthians 4:4.
Don Fortner
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15
Worldliness is an undue attachment to this world. It is living for this world--its riches, its honor, its joys and its cares. It is living by the principles of this world: greed, covetousness, deceit and lust.
Nothing is more dangerous to the souls of men--than the love of the world.
Nothing more effectually chokes out the influence of the gospel in a man's heart--than the cares of this world.
Nothing is more difficult to avoid--than an undue attachment to this world.
Therefore, John sets these four words up as a beacon. They stand in blazing letters to warn us of great danger: "LOVE NOT THE WORLD!"
Beloved, this world and all that it offers, is no more than a bubble that soon must burst! Your money, your farms, your houses, your influence, your families--everything here is temporary. It will all vanish away!
We laugh at the small child who cries when the bubbles he is playing with burst. But, for a rational man to be so attached to a bubble, is a most irrational thing!
What fools they are who love and seek this world! I cannot warn you enough of the danger of worldliness--of loving, seeking, and living for this world!
Are you God's child? Are you risen with Christ? Do you live in the hope of eternal glory?
Then count this world to be a dead thing.
Live no longer for this world.
Set your heart on things above.
Live above this pile of rubbish that must soon burn.
Live to do the will of God, seek the glory of Christ, further the gospel of the grace of God, and serve the people of God. Quit seeking those things for which unbelieving men live, and seek those things which are above--life, immortality, and glory.