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Don't love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you cannot love the Father. Our foolish pride comes from this world, and so do our selfish desires and our desire to have everything we see. None of this comes from the Father. The world and the desires it causes are disappearing. But if we obey God, we will live forever.
I John 2:15-17
There is the problem. When we love the world we cannot love God. Almost shockingly this verse does not say that we should not love the world more than we love God. It says if we love the world we cannot love God! Even a little love of the world is deadly to your love of God.
Sin is the same. If you murder a thousand people you are a murderer. If you murder one person, you are still a murderer. A little love of the world is all it takes to put a halt to your love for God.
So what is it like to love God and not the world? It is something like when a young man truly loves a young woman. He can think of thoughts that are not of her, but not for very long. His mind comes rushing back to her every chance it gets. He is captured by her grace and beauty and his greatest goal in life becomes bringing her pleasure and giving her the things that she desires! When "true love" is the infection in a young man's heart his focus is on what he can give, not on what he can receive!
When you love Jesus it is the same. Jesus becomes the obsession of your heart. You can think of thoughts that are not of Him, but not for very long. Your mind goes rushing back to Jesus every chance it gets. You are captured by His grace and beauty and your greatest goal is bringing pleasure to Jesus!
Your own joy and peace are by-products of pursuing the service of Jesus Christ. It is indeed all about Jesus.
"Lord, forgive me for spending so much of my time and effort thinking about how You will bless me. Bless me if You will, but let me bless You! Put in my mind today to do something that will bring You joy! May I be an instrument of fulfilling Your desires! May You be blessed today, and everyday! Amen."
I John 2:15-17
There is the problem. When we love the world we cannot love God. Almost shockingly this verse does not say that we should not love the world more than we love God. It says if we love the world we cannot love God! Even a little love of the world is deadly to your love of God.
Sin is the same. If you murder a thousand people you are a murderer. If you murder one person, you are still a murderer. A little love of the world is all it takes to put a halt to your love for God.
So what is it like to love God and not the world? It is something like when a young man truly loves a young woman. He can think of thoughts that are not of her, but not for very long. His mind comes rushing back to her every chance it gets. He is captured by her grace and beauty and his greatest goal in life becomes bringing her pleasure and giving her the things that she desires! When "true love" is the infection in a young man's heart his focus is on what he can give, not on what he can receive!
When you love Jesus it is the same. Jesus becomes the obsession of your heart. You can think of thoughts that are not of Him, but not for very long. Your mind goes rushing back to Jesus every chance it gets. You are captured by His grace and beauty and your greatest goal is bringing pleasure to Jesus!
Your own joy and peace are by-products of pursuing the service of Jesus Christ. It is indeed all about Jesus.
"Lord, forgive me for spending so much of my time and effort thinking about how You will bless me. Bless me if You will, but let me bless You! Put in my mind today to do something that will bring You joy! May I be an instrument of fulfilling Your desires! May You be blessed today, and everyday! Amen."
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