Devotion for Sunday

Devotion for Sunday, November 27, 2022

1 John 2:15-17, “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 of life — is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

Do you struggle with the flesh in this world? Many men and women struggle. “The moral admonition not to love the world is practical advice, for it is already clear that the world is passing away. As in John’s gospel, the ‘world’ is the system of rebellion and pride that needs to displace God and His rule. It is this system rather than the created order itself that is ‘not from the Father’ and that has already been marked for judgement and destruction (John 12:31). Those who are not of the world receive the revelation of the Father from Jesus (John 17:14) and show by their response to it that they have been chosen for salvation and eternal life”(Reformation Bible Concordance, p. 2270).

Loving the world, the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and pride, does not coexist with the ways of the Lord and the path that He wants for us. If someone is struggling in the flesh, he or she must repent, and turn for this wickedness, and follow the path of the Lord. 

Those who love the world and all that comes with it, they are shortsighted as they want to be satisfied now. In contrast, those who die to their selves and they love the Father, they have a long — term perspective and wait for God’s reward. 

If one of you are struggling with the flesh, lust, or pride, ask the Father for forgiveness. Pray and ask Jesus to take these things that hinder your walk with Him from you. Strive to live a life that is holy and blameless. Repent and turn to Jesus. See 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Stay steady in Christ my friends. He will see you through! 

Reference:

The Reformation Study Bible, Reformation Trust Publishing, Copyright 2015.