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Today’s Scripture: 1 John 2:12-17 (S.O.A.P 2:15-16)
12I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 14I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
15Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
S: 1 John 2:15-16 … After reading the passage I chased down some commentaries on the words ‘things’ and ‘material possessions’. Basically what I found was that both terms are used to refer to anything that absorbs our human love or desire more than God does, even to the point that we put the ‘thing/possession’ above God.
O: 1. appreciating the things God has blessed us or others have shared with or given us isn’t wrong but “loving” the ‘things’ of this world puts us in danger of allowing that ‘thing’ to replace or diminish our love for and focus on God. 2. The ‘things’/enticements of this world are not from God
A: material possessions aren’t wrong in and of themselves, until they become idols or raise pride or other sins in our hearts – the same is true of a variety of desires and possessions — consider the fruit that led to Eve’s downfall. Genesis 3:6 says “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it…” The enticements of the fruit became greater than her desire to please God and live
P: Father, help me to love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength – to have no other gods before You. Help me to enjoy the provisions you give me but to never love them more than you. — In Jesus’ Name – Amen
Each stage of the Christian life builds upon the other. John mentions children, older men, and young men. As children we experience forgiveness thru Jesus. Older men have lived longer and experienced life and are mature in their faith. Young men are fighting the temptations of the world.
Worldliness begins in the heart. Without constant vigilance and prayer we can’t escape the world.
Your words are empty if you say you love God and then love what is NOT of God.
In a nut shell you can either love the world and watch it pass away and take you with it, or you can love God and live with Him in eternity.
I thank God for all the special elderly people I have had in my life. There is something to be said for a good ole sit down with a wise elder who can touch your heart with experience and wisdom.