LOVING GOD OR THE WORLD
The biblical Word of God says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them…The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17).
The Bible talks about people who loved the things of the world (1 John 2:16)–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; and about those who loved the Lord God with all their heart, soul and mind…(Luke 10:27). Knowing what the Bible says may help us in deciding wisely whom or what we will love.
WEALTH OF THE WORLD OR WEALTH OF GOD
WEALTH OF THE WORLD. The Word of God shows that some people love and value things of world more than they love God and others. Some love having money and possessions and pleasure and things money can buy.
The Bible give an example of a person who might loves wealth and possessions more than they love God or others: Jesus told a rich young man, who had kept many of God’s commandments, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But, “when the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth” (John 19:16-22). Jesus said it is hard for someone who has lots of money and possessions to enter heaven; but with God, nothing is impossible.
The Bible says, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction…Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:9-10). And some have even lost their soul (Luke 12:19-21).
WEALTH OF GOD. The Word advises us: “Seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2).
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33).
God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
SEEN BY PEOPLE OR BY GOD
SEEN BY PEOPLE. Jesus told his disciples and other who followed him, do not be like the Pharisees, for “everything they do is done for people to seen…They love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.” (Matthew 23:1-12).
“Many of the leaders believed in [Jesus]; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. For they loved praise from men more than praise from God” (John 12:42-43).
SEEN BY GOD. The Lord the Jesus Christ said, “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:1-12).
John who was privileged to baptize Jesus said, “he must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).”
Paul, a leader among the apostles, said if anyone had reasons to boast, he did. For he had more and higher credentials; and work harder for the Lord than all the other apostles (2Corinthians 11:21-30). But he preferred to be seen as “a servant of Christ Jesus” (Romans 1:1).
LUST OF THE WORLD OR LOVE OF GOD
LUST OF THE WORLD. Jesus spoke of a “ Prodigal Son” who squander away the money and property his father gave him “in reckless living” in the world. As a result, he became destitute and friendless. He decided to go home to his father who had the love of God. (Luke 15:11-18)
LOVE OF GOD. His God-loving father welcomed him with open arms. His father forgave him and rejoiced to see him come home. (Luke 15:19-32).
It is not God’s will that any should sin because of their love of things of the world (Romans 6:15). But if we sin and confess it, “he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He forgives us because of our repenting and believing in the love and atoning blood-sacrifice of his Son Jesus Christ on a cross (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
The Bible shows that God has demonstrated his great love for us through his Son Jesus Christ agonizing and dying on a cross for us. And our Lord and Savior who sacrificed himself for us, commands us: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, Love your neighbor as yourself”’ (Luke 10:27)—”Love one another. As I have loved you” (John 13:34).
In loving God, while in the world, “our lives are hidden in him. But when Christ who is our life appears, we will also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:3-4).
