honor
“Do not love the world or the things of this world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
1 John 2:15 ESV
When our lives honor the order God originally established, we experience greater delight in His presence.
In his book, Created and Creating, William Edgar clarifies the ‘world’ referenced in this verse is not God’s good creation or the people made in his image, but the principles and perspectives that run counter to the Kingdom of God. The original word is kosmos, referencing fallen culture and the pride that attracts us to the ungodly.
While our place is this world, our roots should not be in the system of this world, which calls us to accumulate as much as we can in order to enjoy as many pleasures as we can—Do everything you can to be happy. If it looks appealing, go after it.
But God’s kingdom calls us to put Him first, think of others before ourselves and walk in honor and obedience to Him. He does not take us out of the world but sanctifies us in His truth, in order to enter into the world, engage the world and continue to transform it rather than develop an unhealthy attachment to it.
Jesus told us in Matthew 6:33 to ‘Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” to not worry about the concerns of the body, for if we set our sights on God’s kingdom, the rest will be provided. He also said we should not store up for ourselves “Treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal,’ but rather store up treasures in heaven” (Mt 6:19-20).
Such teaching will cause your life to look different—but isn’t that the point? Shouldn’t the death and resurrection of Jesus inform our behavior? Proverbs 29:25 advises the fear of man is a trap. Worrying what others think more than what God thinks and what His word says keeps us in bondage. Only when we put our faith in God alone are we released from this bondage and free to rest in the safe and loving care of our Heavenly Father.
Loving the world and conforming to the world is, in essence, idolatry, therefore, let us love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul and mind seeking to walk in spirit and truth day after day, to His great glory.
blessings,
makenzi
additional reading:
Old Testament: Leviticus 18:1-5, Numbers 15:39-41, Daniel 1:8-9
New Testament: Matthew 6:24, Romans 12:2, Galatians 1:10, James 4:4, 1 John 5:4-5
reflect:
Jesus said the eye is the lamp of the body— so if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light (Mt 6:22-23). A healthy eye represents total devotion to God, setting our sights on his kingdom and righteousness. What is your life’s aim? Is your life truly set apart for the gospel of christ? Is there anything currently corrupting your sight?
centering prayer:
LORD, thank you that my citizenship is in Heaven. Keep me from worldly pursuits and in constant pursuit of your Presence. amen.
