Questions - Can I Love the World?
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. (1John 2:15-17)
There is no way to get around it - this is a command, a present active imperative if you’re a word nerd. Before we knew Jesus, we were darkness. So, we loved the world and the things of it. But now, we are to told to stop loving the world as we have done in the past. And for many of us, that is still a very active battle that we wage everyday.
But what does “do not love the world” mean? Does it mean I am to reject all that is in the world? I happen to live in it everyday. That’d be pretty hard. And there are some amazing things in the world.
What "world" are we talking about?
The "world" is used in two different senses in the bible:
The physical planet and created universe (John 3:16; 16:33; 1 John 4:14)
and human society organized and functioning apart from God (1 John 2:15-17; 3:1,13…)
Obviously, John isn't commanding us to "not love" God's creation. He has created many beautiful, wonderful things and people in the world. Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father. The distinct difference is loving the attitudes - material things - and physical pleasures of this world without God in the mix. Loving the relational things the world has to offer like power, prestige, influence, etc. that feed into our own pride in place of the One who makes any of it possible. The question really is, what or who does your love ladder up to?
John Piper said, "Love for the world pushes out love for God, and love for God pushes out love for the world." I would agree with part one and but not part two. I prefer, love for God changes how you love the world.
God and Tikki Masala
On Valentine’s Day, some of the family went to Monk’s Fusion for Indian food. We had the most amazing Tikki Masala, Butter Chicken, and naan. As a heavenly Executive Chef, God could have made the whole earth taste like oatmeal. But He didn’t. Instead, He made abundance and a world of flavors. I can enjoy a great meal with a whole host of selfish-prideful thoughts. Or I can enjoy that same meal in wonder of how good it is, thankfulness that God made it so that food tastes good. By the end, we were all stuffed with food, laughter, and attitudes of gratitude.
Yes, I long for heaven. But in that moment, I loved this world. I loved the food. And I loved the people with me. Because He made all of it.
