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NASB | 1 John 2:15 ¶ Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 2:15 ¶ Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. |
Bible Question:
I would appreciate any insight and/or other scripture references that might help me understand this scripture better. I am interested in 1 John 2:15-17. Specifically the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. Thank You, JAL |
Bible Answer: I've found a great passage in this magazine called the Discipleship Journal...In this article the author discusses the question of "if God so loved the world, how come the bible tells us "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him...The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever" -1 John 2:15,17 Later in the article the author writes: "God doesn't forbid you to love created things. Rather, He forbids you to set your heart upon them, to look to them for your happiness. Instead, He wants you to appreciate and admire them for this one purpose: so that you may love your Creator. Consider this analogy: Let's say that a bridegroom makes a ring for his bride. But once she has received the ring, she cherishes it more than she cherishes the bridegroom who made the ring for her. Wouldn't her soul be found guilty of adultery in her love for the gift-even though she was loving what the bridegroom had given her? By all means she should love what the bridegroom gave her. But if she should say, "This ring is enough for me; I have no desire to see his face now," what sor of bride would that be?.......Hold fast to the love of God, then, so that-just as God is forever and ever-you also may live forever and ever. For in the end each person becomes like what he loves." -Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.) bishop, theologian, and spiritual writer I hope this helped. -Amber |