Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions – is not from the Father but from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17 ESV)
What’s Love Got To Do With It?
This was the title of a hit single by Tina Turner from several decades ago. I must admit I enjoyed hearing her blast out that question with her amazingly raspy voice back in the day. Who would ever have dreamed that a song with that title would become so popular? Maybe it has to do mostly with the culture of the day in which it was released.
I found myself humming that song today as I was reading through 1 John 2. Not because the song relates to that passage mind you, but in response to what the passage said. In this chapter we are given a great contrast between loving the world or loving God. The writer inspired by the Holy Spirit says that the difference is as plain as the difference between light and darkness.
According to what is said in verse fifteen above, love has everything to do with it. Or should I say instead that the object of our love has everything to do with it. God through the writer is reminding those of us who would one day read this of one sure thing, “If we love the world, then the love of the Father is not in us.”
John also proclaimed elsewhere in this letter that God is love. With this truth in mind, not only is God love but God also demonstrated His great love toward you and me that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die in our place so that we might be filled to overflowing with His love. I don’t know about you, but I stand in AWE and I WONDER at how God could love me enough to allow His Son to die for me.
I ask, who or what is the object of your love? Is it God? Or is it the World? Only you can answer that question.
By the way, the way in which you live will make it evident where your love and devotions lie. Verse seventeen reminds us, “…but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” We cannot help it - we will live what we believe!
In Christ,
Brother Tim