Do you have some Bible verses that you find yourself going back to again and again? You may even have different ones for different reasons. I know I do. Here is are a few that relate to this world system in which you live:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever (1 John 2:15–17).
There you have it laid before you. It’s a choice you have to make—love God, or love the world. When you think of the world, recognize that there is a system that is operating with three intertwined driving forces:
- The desire of the flesh.
- The desire of the eyes.
- The pride in riches.
Part of the reason this passage is at the forefront of my mind is that we reflected on and prayed around it yesterday at SurrenderInPrayer’s Prayer Retreat. It was a wonderfully refreshing time.
You see, if we want to follow Christ and obey God, there are things from which we need to turn. These things get in the way of our doing the will of God. Why? They are contrary to what God wants.
Why the World System is Contrary to God
Think about it. God tells you to love God with everything you have, love others, love yourself. Jesus tells you to deny yourself. What is the system of the world built on and what does it promote? Self-gratification even if it affects others adversely. If something looks good to you and pleases you, go ahead and get it. You’ve arrived when you have a lot of stuff, including the “big house” and “nice car.” It doesn’t matter how you got there, how you get what you have.
God does not value you based on these things. God values you based on your love for God shown in obedience to God. Moreover, God cares about how you acquire things and why. The principles of love and self-denial to follow Christ are still relevant. The stuff that the world values is temporary. The life that God offers to those who follow Christ is eternal.
It Comes Down to Choice
As with many things, you get to choose. You have to choose. You can’t love both—God and the world system. The Scripture is clear. When you think about how life is, it should also be clear. You end up favoring one thing over the other and it shows in your actions and attitudes. Your choices show what you love and value.
So, which will it be? God or the world? If you’ve been following the world system, there’s still time to repent and ask God for forgiveness. There’s still time to turn around and choose God, choose life. It’s not too late.
Get Closer to God and Live with Greater Confidence and Peace
Photo credit: geralt / of Pixabay.com
