Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

1 John 2:15-17 – Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

I have referred to these verses more than once, and I have been led to dig into these verses to cause people to think and analyze how they are living their lives at this very moment. For when you think upon these teaches you can see they go deeply into how many are acting and responding to not only within their own homes, but due to external factors as well.

Let us start this exploration with the amplified classic version of the Bible:

15 Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]–these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].

17 And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever.

Let us now go verse by verse in the KJV and break it down into the Greek where needed.

1 John 2:15 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

World – G2889 – Kosmos – Bible Hub it is shown in this way: the world, universe; worldly affairs; the inhabitants of the world; adornment.

Worldly affairs, and those that populate it. These are the things that distract us from God. However, people do not seem to realize this. Humans cause sin. Humans cause crime.

Matthew 15:18-20 – But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”

All that affects the world about us is due to people living in sin. That is why we are being told to not remain in the world we have left behind.

Ephesians 5:1-17 – Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” 15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

“Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.”

I wish to do a bit of sidestep here and look at verse 5 of chapter 5 of Ephesians:

Ephesians 5:5 – For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Covetous man – G4123 – pleonexia – holding (desiring) more, that is, eager for gain; covetousness, avarice.

Okay, now to get back to 1 John.

Love – G25 and G26 –

G25- agapaó – to love (in a social or moral sense); wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem.

G26 – agape – affection or benevolence; good will, esteem

The first “love” is for the world and the things within it. The second “love” mentioned here is for how our love should be towards God through His Son Jesus Christ. As you can see “agape” love is meant to be all encompassing. This is seen in the greatest commandments given to us by Christ Himself:

Matthew 22:36-40 – “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”  Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

This shows that our focus must be upon God and what His Son told us within the Bible on how we are to live our lives.

So let us now move on to verse 16:

1 John 2:16 – For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Flesh – G4561 – sarx – flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred; the body as opposed the to soul (spirit), or as the symbol of what is external.

Eyes – G3788 – ophthalmos – the eye; the mind’s eye; figuratively envy (from the jealous side glance)

Pride – G212 – alazoneia – boasting, show, arrogant display, ostentation; self-confidence

Life – G979 – bios – manner of life; livelihood; the present state of existence.

The implication is made very clear here. Whenever someone seeks after anything that gives them pleasure here in this temporal realm, we now live within. They do not seek after pleasing God, but themselves as so are not trying to be one with God, but themselves. For their true god is themselves.

Therefore, if someone seeks after wealth, a fancy car or home. Fancy clothing, tattoos of any sort. They are seeking to appease their own wants and desires. Christ makes it clear in Matthew 6 what it is He wishes us to seek after:

Matthew 6:19-24 – “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. 22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! 24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

We are also told that if God does curses us with money, we are not to horrid it but to give most of it away:

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 – Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. 13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

Why seek to have worldly status and praise when calling yourself “Christian?” This is not what we are told to do many times within the Bible. For this mere hundred years we live upon this earth is not our true life. This is not our legacy. Giving all glory and praise to God through His Son Jesus Christ is our true legacy.

It is serving God by giving away what we do not need to live day to day. It is helping those in need. That is our legacy. For this will cause a great treasure to be gathering in the presence of God Himself. Who will bless us with not one hundred years of life, but billions upon billions of years of life. Living as we do now. Seeing as we see now.

Yet millions who profess to being “Christian” would rather have their earthly treasures and desire met. Not caring for the true future, but instead trying to promote their own legacy which as verse 17 says:

Will “fading away, along with everything that people crave.”

God Bless