Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – 1 John 2:15-17 – Loves The World – Growing As Disciples
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. 1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)
Loving You
Tell me what you see. I see two choices. What are your choices? I can love the world or I can love you. I can’t love both the world and you. Why is that? If I love the world my desires and values will line up and be consistent with the world. I will have worldly desires. Like what? I will desire whatever my flesh craves. I will want whatever my eyes see. I will pursue whatever my prides seeks. All these desires, cravings and pursuits will fill my heart full with values that do not come from you. No, they do not. As it is my life is under the constant influence of the world. It is seeking to conform me to all its patterns and practices. It wants to mold me into its shape. The world would be happy if I looked and acted and sounded just like everyone else in it. Is that what you want? No, I have no desire to follow the world and all its evil desires, cravings and pursuits. What is it that you want?
Instead of loving the world I want to love you. Loving the world will keep me from loving you. That’s right. But the opposite is even more powerfully true. It is. Loving you will keep me from loving the world. As I love you, the world will not be able to conform me to its image or mold me into its shape. It will not be able to conform me to its pattern. No, it will not. Your power that is at work in me is far more powerful than the power that is at work in the world. Yes, it is. You are molding and shaping my life as I come to know, love and follow you. Your love is changing my heart and transforming my mind. You are making me into the person you want me to be. You are helping me to live the life that you have called me to live. You are helping me to know your will and walk in your ways. Yes, I am. Loving you has given me the desire to obey you in all that I think, say and do. That is very good.
Heavenly Father, I love you with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. The world and all that it has to offer has lost its appeal to me. It is the desire of my heart to live my life fully for you. I want to know you and do your will. Amen
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If – 1 John 2-15-17 – Loves The World – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study-Guide
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