Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – 1 John 2:15-17 – Do Not Love The World – Growing As Disciples
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)
The World
At one time, I was captivated by the world. I loved the world and everything in it. I wanted everything that the world had to offer. I chased after every comfort. I sought every pleasure. I lived entirely for my own gratification. I was filled with sinful cravings. My eyes allured me into lustful desires. I boasted about all that I had and all that I had done. I was pleased with myself and with all my accomplishments. I’m sure that I was very full of myself. I was hard to like. I was difficult to be around. I know that I was not living in ways that were pleasing to you. You got that right.
What happened to you? What has changed? Why are you no longer pursuing the world and all that it has to offer? The world never satisfied me. My life became a continual desire for more of what I did not have. I was not content. I was restless. I was empty. The next latest and greatest thing never brought me pleasure. That’s not all. What else? Pursuing the world and all that it has to offer leads to a broken and bruised and battered life. A life cannot go unscathed while pursing sinful cravings and lustful desires. A life cannot be healthy and whole when it is filled with prideful boasting about what one has or what one has done. No, it cannot. There is painful price to pay for living that kind of life. Yes, there is. Your word says that, the “wages of sin is death.” Yes, it does. Death was an apt description of my life. Death well describes a life that is lived apart from you. That’s right.
You did not leave me to live the life I was living. You did not let me continue on the path that led away from you. No, I did not. You pursued me. You reached out to me. You showed me your love. You let me taste of your kindness and mercy. Your love drew me to you. Your love changed the course of my life. Yes, it did. Your life is continuing to change the course of my life everyday as I continue to follow and serve you. You are the Savior and Lord of my life. Your love for me and my love for you is now overpowering all my old sinful cravings and lustful desires. Yes, it is. Your love for me has humbled me. Your love has bowed me down. Now, my only boast is that I know and love you. It is now the pursuit of my life to follow and obey you. That is very good.
Lord, your love for me has drawn me away from loving the things of this world. Your love for me has caused me to love you with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. Your love has given me the desire to know your will and walk in your ways. Amen
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Love – 1 John 2-15-17 – Do Not Love The World – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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