“Is Not Of The Father”

John insists that this new life in Christ, that we now have in union with Him, is reality and affects real change. It is not possible for followers of Christ to go on living as before because that is to live a lie, to live in an unreality. We already talked about the passage on hating your brother so I won’t go back to that one now. John insists that this new life in Christ, that we now have in union with Him, is reality and affects real change. It is not possible for followers of Christ to go on living as before because that is to live a lie, to live in an unreality. Why is it that we cannot love the world and have the love of the Father in us? Well, to have the love of the Father in us is to know ourselves as His children–really, truly His sons and daughters. That is not just a new label to add to all the rest, it is the reality that all roles, labels, even thoughts about ourselves must conform to. We are His sons and daughters and God is making this reality more and more manifest, someday there will be no doubt as to our true selves. God is our life, not just the origin of our biological life but the only source of true life in every dimension. The particular Greek word often used for eternal life is zoe. It is not just bios, biological life going on forever and ever. It is life from God, God-life, living in righteousness the only source of real true life. It goes beyond the biological and yet of course includes it, God is the author of all life at all levels. The life God gives us in Christ is a life that involves removing and destroying all the brokenness, evil and mentally disturbed sin in us. It is the life that comes from the very heart of the trinity God, full of love, joy, peace, hope and faith. To love the world is to still be seeking for something out there, apart from God, that is going to give us our meaning, purpose, security, identity, life. John is not speaking here of enjoying the earth and the beauty of God’s creation. He is not speaking against music and art that can be enjoyed and reflected upon. In verse 16 we see lusting after illusions is Idolatry that harms the mind and what God is giving is truly enough. We cannot receive God’s life when we are looking for life somewhere else. We can’t live in His love, peace and embrace His joy. In fact, what the world offers is, as John puts it, darkness.
1 John Chapter 2:14-17
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
{Lets Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You that no one is beyond Your ability and desire to be saved by grace through faith in Christ, and thank You that You are ready and willing to use anyone whose heart is open towards You. Increase my longing and love for You and help me to live by faith and not by sight. I thank You and praise You that Your Word is altogether true and trustworthy and prevent me from being influenced by the circumstances that surround me rather than looking to Jesus and trusting Your Word. I thank You and praise You that I have been born anew and placed into Your eternal family. Look down in compassion and grace on lost souls and bring many more out of darkness as “John spoke” into Your kingdom so they can experience Your truly enough light of life. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.