1 John 2:12-17
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16for all that is in the world — the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches — comes not from the Father but from the world. 17And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever” (1 John 2:15-17)
Because Jesus was killed by the authorities of this world and because He rose from death and thus conquered the powers and principalities of every world, because of these things we are instructed “do not love the world.” And, just in case you were thinking it, yes, this is (as best as scholars can deduce) the same John who wrote “for God so loved the world” in John 3:16. Of course, this would also be the same John (again, as best as scholars can deduce) who wrote about the destruction and end of this world and the coming of “a new heavens and a new earth” in Revelation.
I suspect the preceding context to the above-quoted portion is important. In triptych fashion, John addresses “little children,” “fathers,” and “young people” twice. In each, he affirms God’s blessings on each of these groups – different blessings for the different groups. And so, within this context, it makes sense to “not love the world or the things in the world.” In the context of God’s abiding blessings, it is foolish to still chase after “the things in the world.” C.S. Lewis once described humans as those whom God has given a nice vacation by the sea, but who reject this trip in favor of playing in the mud and muck of the gutters in front of their homes. It is the rejection of sea urchins in favor of being a street urchin.
Friends, we are still in the light of the resurrection. We can still hear the angelic voice saying “He is not here” as that phrase echoes off the walls of an empty tomb. God’s blessings are still present and real. Cling to that truth. Cling to that moment. For in that moment is the promise of all eternity. As you dwell in that moment, so you dwell in your future, in eternity.
And this is why John exhorts us as he does. For who can simultaneously dwell in eternity and still chase after the things of this world? No one. The two are diametrically opposed. There is no paradox here, only a binary choice – choose life or choose death, as Deuteronomy would put it. And so, still standing in the shadow cast by the One who overcame death and rose to new life, I say this: choose life today, and all your days. Amen.
