What Not to Love (1 John 2:15-17)
- Nate Miller
- Mar 1
- 3 min read
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. ¹⁶For 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. ¹⁷And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. —1 John 2:15-17
“Do not love.” This command seems both strange and simple. It seems unexpected in the pages of Scripture where God’s love for the lost is revealed in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, to pay for the sin of all who would trust in Him. Later in this same letter, we read that “God is love.” In the verses leading up to this command, we are told to love other believers. Why, then, this strange command to “not love"?
The kind of love that is prohibited is a love for “the world.” The world in this context does not refer to the natural world—rocks, trees, and oceans—nor does it refer to the inhabitants of the world—those for whom Christ died. Instead, this is a love for sinful world systems–the sinful elements of the world’s cultures, philosophies, rulers, and ethics–and the possessions one can acquire in the world. A love for material things should be a warning sign to us. If we love worldly, ungodly things, the love of the Father is not in us.
Your affections are like a teeter totter. A great love for the sinful world that is passing away reveals a lightweight love for God. By contrast, a hefty love for God is demonstrated in the rejection of sinful worldly isms and ologies and a loose hold on material things. You cannot love both. One side will outweigh the other. That’s because the world and the things in the world are corrupted. They are contaminated by the flesh (a desire for physical pleasure), the eyes (the deceitful allure of beauty), and the pride of life (elevating oneself above God). As such, they cannot come from God.
Also, this world is passing away. It’s a waste of emotional energy and personal passion to spend your life on things that will not last. All of these things are passing away. What a tragedy to arrive at the end and have nothing to show for all of your effort and all of the affection you have poured out on this earth. It’s disappointing when a snowman that I worked on for a morning melts away when the afternoon sun comes out. How much more disappointment and sorrow will we experience if we have spent—not a morning—but a lifetime loving and pursuing things that will merely pass away. The writer of this letter, the Apostle John, wants you to pursue that which is lasting—God Himself!
Therefore, do not love the world. Do not love the things in the world. Don’t waste your affection. Love God, seek Him in the person and work of Jesus Christ. And you will abide, forever.
For Reflection
In what ways do you still love the world, its systems, its possessions?
What things are you devoting time, attention, and energy to that are ultimately going to pass away?
How can you remind yourself to pursue God every day this week?
Nate Miller is the Associate Preaching Pastor at Revive Church in Brooklyn Park, MN. Nate and his wife, Angela, live in Brooklyn Park and have three children.
