A Study Through the Letters of JohnНамуна

Day 2: What Has Your Heart?

(Read 1 John 2:12-17)

I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.

I write to you, dear children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

As I read the passage from 1 John, I imagine John as the wise and loving grandfather at a family event, looking out on the extended family as he shares his words of affirmation and challenge. He has particular words for the children, parents, and youth and then a call to all of them to love God rather than the things of this world.

It’s likely that John was thinking of maturity in faith more than age when he addressed the “dear children,” “fathers,” and “young men.” At one point of the spectrum there are “children” who have received Christ’s forgiveness and begun their life of faith in the Father. At the other end are the “fathers” who have walked with God for many years. In the middle are the “young men” who have allowed God’s word to take root in them. In Christ they have grown strong and have been able to overcome evils and temptations.

After John grounds and encourages all these dear ones in the truth of who they are in Christ, he is ready to challenge them. He tells them not to love the world. In this context, John does not mean “world” as in the people (and all creation) whom God has made and loves. Instead, he means all that is not of God – that which has been corrupted by the evil one. He explains this in verse 16: “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” “Flesh” here refers to more than the body. It is a self-centered, self-sufficient orientation in which we live as though we don’t need God. The “lust of the eyes” refers to not only the lust in terms of sexual sin but also desiring anything “shiny” in the world that captures our attention and distracts us from God. The “pride of life” has to do with seeking our own glory or honor rather than the glory of God.

So much in our world today vies for our attention. We get messages all the time that we deserve newer and better. We have so many platforms to seek “likes” and glory for ourselves. We become lulled into the comforts of this world. Whether spiritual “children” or “fathers,” we need to be reminded that all these worldly priorities and empty promises will pass away and become worth nothing. Loving God and living His will are where eternity is found.

Focus verse for prayerful reflection:

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” (I John 2:15)

1. Take some time to reflect with God on what you love. What has your heart, energy, and priority?

2. Ask God to help you see what is not from God that may be taking away from the love of God in your heart. Talk with Jesus about that.

For further reading:

Read Jeremiah 31:33-34 and notice the priority in knowing God that is similar to our passage from 1 John.