Part 5 of the sermon series on the letters of John
John reminded the readers of the old commandment, which is also the new commandment. He was writing about loving one another. John further explained that those who hate their brother are not in the light; they are still in darkness. But those who walk in the light love other disciples, and they do not stumble nor do they lead others to sin. John would then encourage the readers about knowing God, forgiveness of sins, overcoming evil, and strength. The writer would then warn against loving the world because the one who loves the world does not have the love of the Father.
Encouragement
It seemed that the writer was discussing the various levels of maturity. He mentioned little “children,” “fathers,” and “young men.” An alternative perspective is that the terms “children,” “fathers,” and “young men” are not stages, but a poetic style. John used poetry to encourage the believers.
1 John 2:12-14 (ESV): I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
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, 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 abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
Every genuine believer receives the blessing of forgiveness from God. Every true believer should know the Father and the Son who eternally exist. Every believer becomes strong and overcomes the evil one. Every believer has the word of God in him or her.
Do Not Love the World
John warns against loving the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in such a person. Everything that the world represents is not from God, which includes the lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life. What is the world? Anything against the will of God.
1 John 2:15-16: 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.
The author reveals how sin operates, which is through bodily cravings, covetousness through the eyes, and boasting about the self. One may observe a parallel in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:6) and the temptation of the Lord Jesus in the wilderness (Mt 4:1-11). The love of the Father is not in the one who loves the world.
The Will of God
John concludes the warning against worldliness by revealing the future. The world is passing away, which means that the world is temporal. On the opposite side, those who do the will of God will abide forever. That is why one may say that the world, in this context, refers to anything that is opposed to God's will.
1 John 2:17: And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
John 17:14-15: I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
For clarification, God wants His people to enjoy food, but He is against gluttony. It is God’s will for married people to experience sexual union with one another, but He is against sex outside of marriage. God wants His people to take responsibility in providing for their families, but He is against greed.
Application
1. Through Christ, we have overcome the world. Through His grace, we learn to become stronger in faith. Through His Word, we overcome evil thoughts. Through His Spirit, we receive His conviction, comfort, and guidance.
2. We should not love the world, which is anything against the will of God. Let us guard our bodily needs, the evil that attracts our eyes, and our hearts from boasting about our own accomplishments.
3. Let us have an eternal perspective. One fruit of eternal life is doing the will of God. We must remind ourselves that the world and its lusts are temporary. Only God is eternal; only Christ is eternal.
Poem
DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD by Ed Pilapil Jr To children, fathers, and young men Hearken now, and listen again Don’t love the world and all in it For that is against the Spirit The believers have forgiveness All because of His faithfulness Knowing God is the key to all It is believing in the call Repentance and faith is the call Knowing Christ is the key to all His Word leads us to faithfulness The Father grants us forgiveness And sealed by the Holy Spirit Eternity, we believe it The gospel, again and again Listen now, all women and men
Study Guide
1. Explain the encouragement of John to the believers, which is represented by children, fathers, and young men.
2. What are the things in the world? Explain. Why should we not love them?
3. What will happen to the world? What will happen to the person who does the will of God?
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