Didn't God Love the World?

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:1

At first glance today’s Scripture could easily be misunderstood. We all learn “For God so loved the world” (John 3:16). Yet, here in 1 John we’re told not to love anything in the world.

In John 3:16 the word “world” means “created things” and we’ve come to define it as “every man, woman, boy and girl”. God loved every person who has ever lived and who will ever live so much that He sent Jesus to die for their sin. Truly, BIG LOVE!

John uses the exact same word in the 1 John passage. So, do we see a contradiction in the Word of God? Does God say He loved the entire world but say that we can’t love any of it?

John frequently takes one thought and looks at it from opposing views. It’s much like taking a normal everyday item or activity and realizing that it can be used for good or for evil. Time is a good example. We all have 24 hours a day. But, we all chose to use the 24 hours in different ways. We can use time for good or for evil. It’s still time, regardless of our choice.

Love can be used for good or for evil. But, our human mind has a hard time recognizing that we can’t love anything more than God for us to truly love anything. That’s right – want to love your husband or wife more? Then love God more. The love for your spouse will flow out of your love for God. When we model our time or our love from God’s direction for our lives, everything takes on a different appearance.

Before we come to accept Jesus Christ, we can’t have any of God’s thoughts. It’s impossible. Yet, after we accept Jesus Christ, God gives us the mind of Christ. He gives us the Holy Spirit to import the wisdom of Christ as we need it and as we seek it.

In Romans 3, Paul tells us that we must have our minds “set on what the Spirit desires.” We can’t even know what this is unless we give God time to reveal it to us. To love what God loves, we have to know what He loves. Jesus came to save every man, woman, boy and girl from an eternal hell. So, that’s a guaranteed good place to start.

How are you showing God’s love to the world around you? Do you love anything more than you love God? How are you using your time for His purposes?

God is love. He loves the world deeply. God has shown He’s love in amazing ways. If we look to Him for who to love and how to love, we’ll be in a safe place. Life will happen and it will challenge our love for God. The world around us will constantly put us in situations where our love will be challenged. But, God’s love is steadfast and faithful. He love is perfect and just. He loved the whole world and He gave the life of His Son to demonstrate that love. We may live in this world – but He should be our world!

Is He your world today?

Praying for an Overflow of Blessing Today,
Tricia