During a major sports competition, a male sprinter jumped the gun, resulting in a false start and immediate disqualification from the event. His responses included tearing off his sprinter’s bib, writhing on the ground, and weeping in a curled-up position at the side of the track. A female sprinter was running well in her event when she slipped coming over a hurdle on a rain-slicked track and fell to the ground. Her race for all intents and purposes was over, but she got up and finished it with a look of calm determination on her face.
As I considered the contrast between the two athletes’ responses, it occurred to me that the things we truly love can be revealed when we face hard times. The apostle John contrasts love for the world with our love for God. He wrote, “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” (1 John 2:15). “World” is translated from the Greek word kosmos—meaning the evil system that is prevalent in our lives under Satan’s direction (1 John 5:19). It’s not God’s created world that He loves (see “world” in John 3:16).
So what does loving the world include? “Craving physical pleasure,” “craving . . . everything we see,” and “pride in our achievements and possessions” (1 John 2:16). In other words, when we love the stuff of this life more than the One who gave it to us, God’s love isn’t reflected in us. Our behavior, responses, values, and decisions in life—including when we face adversity—will not be pretty.
By God’s grace, we can live out what “pleases” Him (1 John 2:17). As we grasp the far greater love He’s poured out on us, our love for the world will flicker and fade.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 1:16-39
More:
Read James 4:4 and consider what it means to be friends with the world.
Next:
What does it look like when you love the world more than you love God? How does your love for Him affect the way you face hard times?
Gary Shultz on June 24, 2017 at 6:19 am
Hi Tom: What does it look like to be friends with the world? That probably does not need too much definition. In most cases it looks like you can bump along without much of a challenge in your moral status. I’m not saying all of those folks fit, but standards aren’t questions aren’t raised. It could seem like a peaceful path to follow. As we know, what is on the outside is not always what is seen on the inside. Many on the short view of life may appear to have the red carpet, but life ends. For those who truly believe what God has said, we should step differently in life, because life takes on an eternal view. And so we have the shades of the “kosmos” from very evil to the morally polished. As you have shown us in a question, there is a difference when faced with life’s trials, we can rely on God’s faithfulness. You chose a path of God’s leading because a trust relationship has been established, and that was by His love. Thanks Tom
Tom Felten on June 24, 2017 at 10:46 am
Thanks for sharing, Gary. Yes, we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). And the love He’s lavished us is beyond comprehension!
don777 on June 24, 2017 at 6:36 am
We are in this world but not of this world. (balance) Always keeping first things first. Matthew 22:37 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Totally surrendered, guided by The Holy Spirit. But still doing the things that I have to do to survive physically for my family & self. We pray for God to supply & He is always Faithful, but I have to do my part & go to work in order for God to supply. So there is a balance. When I pray for a job, I have to do my part go & apply. A job is not going to come knocking at your door. We have to go knocking at the jobs door. And God is faithful He will supply. Jesus was a carpenter. Paul was a tent maker. John, Peter where fishermen. +>i
Tom Felten on June 24, 2017 at 10:50 am
Good thoughts, don777. And isn’t it cool that everything we do—out jobs, loving our family, etc.—all can pour out of our love relationship with God and worship of Him? Indeed, every facet of life is sacred as we strive to do it all for His glory.
jjw2855 on June 24, 2017 at 9:31 am
Hi Tom, Thank you for today’s devotion. Very timely message for me. Yes there are so many distractions and hurdles around us these days. Satan loves to throw these distractions to take us away from our walk with our Saviour. My main problem is my pride in my achievement – or wanting perfection in everything I do and being so proud of it, that when I achieve it I tend to forget the master of all perfection our Saviour Lord Jesus Christ. And when I fail, I tend to get miserable.
I need to always remember Christ is the one who helps me achieve things. Without my Saviour I am nothing. I need to learn to do my best with the strength and wisdom God gives me and leave the rest in the hands of my God and my Saviour. I have to learn to say, ‘His will be done’. I have to learn to run my race “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith…”, and not succumb to the world and what it offers, or what the world’s standard is. Help me Jesus, “not to love this world nor the things it offers, but to love you alone.”
Tom Felten on June 24, 2017 at 10:54 am
Wow, this resonates jjw2855. It’s so easy for me to fall into a performance mindset. But, praise God for Jesus’ example. He humbled Himself and selflessly gave His life that we might truly live! What appeared to be loss and failure in the world’s eyes was the greatest victory of all time! Praying that both you and I and the whole ODJ community see our lives through Christ’s eyes today—not based in power, accomplishment, or accumulation, but in the opportunity to humbly live out the amazing love God has poured out on us.
darylcrisp on June 24, 2017 at 3:23 pm
this was so timely-the scripture given and the thoughts and replies were just right for me to study and meditate upon due to what I’ve had to face in my life for the last 10 months. wrestling to attempt to figure out how someone who appeared to be so grounded and true to me, could abruptly change and disappear.
thanks everyone, this was like a breath of fresh life given to me
d
Tom Felten on June 24, 2017 at 10:36 pm
I feel for you darylcrisp . . . it can be so hard when those we care about—and who seem to be strong in their love for Christ—lose their First Love. May God continue to give you the encouragement you need in the days ahead.