Perspective

Introduction

A. There is much in this world that is commendable. Art, music, literature — all which can either be a manifestation of God’s image of creativity found in man or can be debased and a demonstration of sin within man. Sports which can be an attempt to compete or an attempt to devalue those who are beaten. Creation as a demonstration of God’s ability to paint the vast array of color on a blank canvas or creation taken and abused and misused by those created for selfish means to ignore the needs of others.

B. That which is available to us can bring both pleasure and corruption. It is this perspective which John discusses in our brief text this morning. Verses 15-17 is written to those who are in good standing. This is not intended for those who are in spiritual danger. This is not intended for those who have pulled away from the body of believers. This text is intended for the believers who want to do the will of God. This text stands out for one particular reason. Up to this point, John has been writing as if this were a sermon. He has been teaching, encouraging, expounding — but now he gives a command. It is this imperative which grabs the reader’s attention. “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” The initial readers would have perked up as this command was read.

C. So should we. As verses 12-14 served to assure the readers about their salvation and to encourage to remain faithful, verses 12-14 also serve to set up this imperative. Your salvation is sure; demonstrate your maturity as older believers and demonstrate your struggle to overcome the evil one as younger believers. And in all cases do not allow the world to infiltrate your life. This command is worthy of our consideration as well. There is much to commend in this world. There is also much to stay away from. John says that the world has nothing to offer us. Let’s not take the edge off of this. Let’s make sure that we pause and think about the world’s influence on each of us.

Timeless Truths

A. Two words to dissect as we begin.

1. The word "world" carries the idea of darkness. It is the realm of evil. It is the idea that which is in rebellion against God. John uses this same idea in his gospel account. In John 12:46, John writes, "I have comes into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." Here we see the parallel between world and darkness. Jesus came as light into darkness. The world is the place of darkness.

2. The word "love" is interesting. It is the same word that is used in 2:10 in which one "loves" his brother. In that text, the idea is to have caring compassion for another. To love another is to seek what is best for that person. To love the world is to seek what is best for darkness. Notice John's usage in his gospel account 3:19: "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." To love the world is to seek what is best for self and for sin.

B. John says “do not love the world or anything in the world.” Don’t seek what you want. Do not expand darkness. As he has reminded his readers in 2:8, the darkness is passing and their pursuit of the world only adds to darkness. But the command doesn’t simply say not to do something. John also tells us why we do not love the world. Love for the world and love for God are incompatible. One cannot love the world and God at the same time. One cannot be light while pursuing darkness.

C. As he explains in verse 16—everything in the world comes not from the Father but from the world. The world cannot produce goodness. It can only produce more of itself. The world is in open rebellion to God. Rebellion gives birth to more rebellion. The world is not passive. It is a rival to God and it moves toward evil.

D. And in verse 17, the reason to not love the world is given two more reasons.

1. The world is passing away. Why would you pursue that which is not going to last. It is temporary.

2. Aligning with God brings life eternal.

The World

A. Someone may say, “but there are good things in this world. You even said there were good things in this world at the beginning of your lesson.” There are good things. John defines what he means with three distinct divisions. There are things which have not come from God. These things have no connection with God in intent or purpose. These things are examples of the darkness which exists.

B. First, the “cravings of sinful man.” Literally the desire of the flesh. In a narrow sense, John speaks of the sensual. That which is carnal. John isn’t saying sex is worldly but that which reflects the darkness. In the broadest sense that which leads us to declare our independence from God is from the world. The desires of this world pull at us; tug at us; we hanker for that which will bring pleasure. And as we give in to those things we announce our independence from God.

C. Second, the lust of our eyes. This speaks of our greed. We see what is around us and we want more. Every year, we sit at Christmas and say “I don’t need anything” and then begin searching catalogs and other things to determine what we “need.” We want more because we see more to want.

D. Third, The boasting of what one has and does. Pride. Boasting to impress. Proud of accomplishments and accumulation. Put a bunch of preachers in a room together and they will begin to boast about what their congregation is doing. How large it is and their good works. Put a bunch of educated people in a room and watch how the pecking order is decided. These three things are against the light. These three things encourage the darkness. Is it any wonder that John says to not set our affection on this world nor the things that belong to this world.

E. Those who pursue the best and the worst of this world live in darkness. The accumulation of the best doesn’t make one rise above the person who pursue the worst of this world. Both are from the world and both are in opposition to the will of God. This world is temporary. It is passing away. Do not be blind to what is going on. Jesus in Luke 12:54-56 said the same thing: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

F. Are we so blind?

1. Every day people die. Most die before they reach 100 and those who pass that age do not last much beyond.

2. Economies rise and fall. As we get excited about the stock market going up, we face a recession. The cycle continues. We cannot sustain unlimited prosperity.

3. Buildings are built and others are torn down. The ancient buildings lie in ruins. The great palaces and places of power are gone. Are we so foolish to believe that buildings that we construct will last forever?

4. Great strides have been made to treat disease, but disease continues. We know how to make the quality of life better and to lengthen years, but we cannot stop disease fully and completely.

5. Can you not see that the world is temporary? Can you not see that the world and its desires pass away? Can you not see that accomplishments and accumulation cannot keep disease, decline, or death away?

G. Ben Sira from early in the 2nd century B.C. wrote the following prayer: “O Lord, Father and God of my life, do not give me arrogant eyes and remove evil desire from me.” May this be our prayer as well. Invitation.

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