Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15).

In 1 John 5:13 the Apostle John states, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” What things? We have suggested that John gives us several spiritual vital signs, signs that we are alive spiritually; signs that we know God through faith in Jesus, and that we have eternal life. If you wonder if you have eternal life, the presence of these things in your life should bolster your sense of assurance: a growing sensitivity to sin, a growing desire to know God’s Word and obey it, a growing love for God’s people and a desire to be with them and serve them. Here in 1 John 2:15 we have another sign of spiritual life. The heart of the true believer is ever growing more devoted to Christ and less enamored by the things of the world: the lust of the flesh, the boastful pride of life, and the lust of the eyes!

Conversely, if we love this fallen world system that is in rebellion against God; if we love the things of the world so that worldly enticements thrill our flesh and chill our hearts toward God, and keep us back and aloof from God and His ways; if we give worldly pursuits of wealth, entertainment, lusts, etc. priority over spiritual pursuits, then perhaps we are yet in the worldly kingdom and not a part of Christ’s Kingdom.  James 4:4 states, “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Is there a growing aversion to this fallen world present in your heart?  This is a sign of spiritual life.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, grant us wisdom to see the futility of this fallen world in which we are living.  Help us to know that the world is not a friend to our souls, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.