1st John 2:15-17 THE APPEAL OF THE COMMAND To understand the world system (the cosmos) and why it is so dangerous to the life, testimony, conduct and joy of a believer means we have to recognize it for what it is. The "world" written of here is not the created earth or the people who live on earth. Rather it is a system of living that is organized, ordered and controlled by Satan. He is the god of this world and opposes all that is of God and His kingdom. Righteousness of life, and life lived by divine standards are undermined or attacked until what even Christians should know is wrong, is accepted as normal practice. Those who live godly lives for God's glory will be shunned, ignored, maligned and mocked because they live contrary to that which brings pleasure to the majority of society.
Worldliness begins in the heart as an attraction to the "pleasures of sin for a season." This usually followed by a gradual compromise of that which was taught from the scriptures. Attempts are made to try to justify doing what once they avoided. There is a certain embarrassment initially when they start doing things that are of the world, especially if they are among those Christians who have committed themselves to following the word of God. After that initial sense of guilt is overcome and their conscience is not paid any attention, before long there is "love" for the world and the things that are "in the world." The attractions of the world system take over the mind and then the direction of one's life. Separation is not evident and the child of God blends in with the people who live by the world's system.
Our thoughts have great power over our lives. To bring into captivity every thought " to the obedience of Christ" is so very important it is impossible to over-emphasize the necessity of this. Worldliness begins internally in our thoughts. Then our attitude toward right and wrong, sinfulness and holiness change us. Soon it becomes external behavior that is inconsistent with the love of the Father that was once evident. This appeal to separation from the world is made so that the "dear children," "young men" and "fathers" will know who and what are against a child of God who loves the Lord and wants to please Him.
Love of the Father includes all the Father values in His children. In contrast with the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, " are self-control, generosity and humble service for the Lord and others. The cravings of men can and should be controlled by one who loves the Lord, and not by the world. The uncontrolled lifestyle of those who submit to the cravings of the flesh and eyes, has led to all sorts of evil committed by man against men and against that which is righteous and true. From within comes the lust of the flesh that appeals to the physical senses of the body. Eve saw forbidden fruit as something good to eat. "That which is of the earth is earthy." When we "love not" nor yield to the lust of the flesh we gain victory over the appetites that can consume our minds, fill our thoughts and ultimately ruin our reputation and testimony for God. The "lust of the eyes" is directed outwardly toward those things we can see. There is a covetous craving for those things we want to claim for ourselves. Eve saw the fruit was good to see, to look at, and her sensual desire for that which was forbidden, controlled her action. Victory over covetousness is possible when we "love not the things that are in the world."
Lucifer wanted to make himself like God, and his pride brought him down to be lost forever. The lust of the flesh refers to the cravings of the body. The lust of the eyes to the cravings of the soul. "The pride of life" is the cravings of the spirit for that which is devilish. James wrote that the wisdom of this world is "earthly, sensual and devilish." The pride of life is truly devilish. Boasting of one's accomplishments, status and importance comes from below from the power of the god of this world and darkness. To deliberately reject the world and not love the things in it, gives us victory over pride.
If we take time to consider what I really value, it will soon be clear to me that I cannot live in a vacuum. Any desire for the world and the things in it must be replaced with that which we know pleases God because those things are right. The support we need to overcome temptation and fill life with that which is right will happen when we choose to "do the will of God from the heart." The world is deteriorating physically and morally. It will not last. The "will of God abideth forever." The curse of God is on creation and the system of the world, and brings to perdition those who follow that system. The law of entropy is still at work.
For some people it is hard to believe that those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will abide with Him forever and have a meaningful life forever. But this is true. As we read through God's word our faith is confirmed and we realize the world and the things in it are only temporary. When our convictions are based on our Lord's life, teaching, practice, death, resurrection and the promises He gave, then we have the power to reject the evil lusts.
God gives the courage to live holy, productive lives with a view of eternity before us when we recognize the exceptionalism of those who belong to our Lord. It is all because of His work and worth that we can rise above those things of the world to "seek those things which are above," and "set our affection" on them. Right now, in our lives we can live "kingdom lives" in a way that is consistent with God's word and will. The things of God do not change even though the things of the world are in the process of passing away. Because God is holy, everything about Him and all He does, including His word, will not change. Sin has no effect on the things of God nor the plans of God. He will change our vile bodies to be like the body of our Lord. "When we see Him, we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is."