Good morning,
Each of us is enamored by this world. We love the conveniences, the technology, the beauty, or maybe the vices. However, as a believer in Christ, we must avoid the lure of this world. It sucks us in and corrupts us. Our involvement in worldly activities pulls us away from our service to God.
As we read this devotion, we need to think about how the love of this world is drawing us away from serving God.
For a rational man to be so attached to a bubble, is a most irrational thing!
(Don Fortner)
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15
Worldliness is an undue attachment to this world. It is living for this world–its riches, its honor, its joys and its cares. It is living by the principles of this world: greed, covetousness, deceit and lust.
Nothing is more dangerous to the souls of men–than the love of the world. Nothing more effectually chokes out the influence of the gospel in a man’s heart–than the cares of this world. Nothing is more difficult to avoid–than an undue attachment to this world.
Therefore, John sets these four words up as a beacon. They stand in blazing letters to warn us of great danger: “LOVE NOT THE WORLD!”
Beloved, this world and all that it offers, is no more than a bubble that soon must burst! Your money, your farms, your houses, your influence, your families–everything here is temporary. It will all vanish away!
We laugh at the small child who cries when the bubbles he is playing with burst. But, for a rational man to be so attached to a bubble, is a most irrational thing!
What fools they are who love and seek this world! I cannot warn you enough of the danger of worldliness–of loving, seeking, and living for this world!
Are you God’s child? Are you risen with Christ? Do you live in the hope of eternal glory?
Then count this world to be a dead thing.
Live no longer for this world.
Set your heart on things above.
Live above this pile of rubbish that must soon burn.
Live to do the will of God, seek the glory of Christ, further the gospel of the grace of God, and serve the people of God. Quit seeking those things for which unbelieving men live, and seek those things which are above–life, immortality, and glory.
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This is a serious matter. We must pray and ask God what He would have us to do. Satan loves it when Christians love the world. They are drawn away and not serving God effectively.
Serve God with your whole heart.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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