Daily Devotions
1 John
"If anyone loves the world..."
Text: 1 John 2:15
WHAT IF WE LOVE THE WORLD?
The Apostle John made a very strong and straightforward statement concerning the world. No believer ought to love the world! But what if we were to love the world? John’s answer is just as clear.
“If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
1 John 2:15b
1. “If anyone loves the world”
a) This is a typical conditional sentence.
b) Both statements are closely related to each other.
c) The first part of the sentence (called the “protasis”) raises doubts about the individual’s love for the world.
d) The second part (called the “apodosis”) is a follow through of the first part. The love of God is in serious doubt.
2. “Love for the world”
a) The word “love” used in this sentence is a very strong one.
b) It is much more than “a liking” for the world.
c) We are speaking of being enamoured of the world.
d) If anyone loves the world in this strong sense of the word, it would affect our relationship with God.
3. “The love of the Father is not in him”
a) This is a very strong statement.
b) It is also a very true statement.
4. Significance of this statement
a) Love for the world and love for God cannot exist together.
b) They are mutually exclusive.
c) If there is a love for the world, then the love of God would be absent.
GOD’S WORD AS TO HOW WE OUGHT TO RELATE TO HIM
This deep and profound word was given by Moses.
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 6:5
Where is there room for love for a world that is antagonistic and hostile to God? If a person truly knows God, he will love Him deeply. A love for the world would always lead to negative and disastrous consequences. The history of ancient Israel is a solemn reminder of what could happen when “believers” do not guard their hearts from the deadly influences of the world!