You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
1 John 2:15-17
15 Love [agapao] not [me] the world [kosmos], neither [mede] the things that are in [en] the world [kosmos]. If [ean] any man [tis] love [agapao] the world [kosmos], the love [agape] of the Father [pater] is [esti] not [ou] in [en] him [autos]. 16 For [hoti] all [pas] that is in [en] the world [kosmos], the lust [epithumia] of the flesh [sarx], and [kai] the lust [epithumia] of the eyes [ophthalmos], and [kai] the pride [alazoneia] of life [bios], is [esti] not [ou] of [ek] the Father [pater], but [alla] is [esti] of [ek] the world [kosmos]. 17 And [kai] the world [kosmos] passeth away [parago], and [kai] the lust [epithumia] thereof [autos]: but [de] he that doeth [poieo] the will [thelema] of God [theos] abideth [meno] for [eis] ever [aion]. KJV-Interlinear 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. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever. NASB
The Bible presents us with the truth and the truthful view of life and the realities of life. Satan counters all that is in the Bible and presents his own distorted view of life in order to lead astray everyone into his own world of lies.
The world here is a symbolic representation of mankind's input onto that which Satan has already set the groundwork for in his lies. Satan sows the seeds of the lie and many 'wise' men add their own thoughts to that base and together they build up alternate truths for life.
Sooner than later then, notions of secularism, humanism, relativism, socialism, evolution and much, much more, become so common that they become unchallenged accepted truths rather than the lies that they really are. These beliefs attack each and every aspect of the Word of God. They attack the fundamental foundations of divine institutions (such as marriage and free enterprise for example) which are designed to stabilize the human race on the whole, and they attack spiritual institutions (such as salvation and fellowship) which are designed to advance the believer to eternal life and his own spiritual maturity.
To reject God, is to embrace the world and these various views of life. Soon the lies of the world become the standards of social morals and public policy of government. That is, if the liberals who promote these types of thinking, get their way.
John express these views by using the word 'agape' in the use and misuse, of the word 'love.' Love here is the principle of the application of, the principles of life. These principles become the standards by which life and life style standards are pursued. The Bible presents the one and only true set of standards of life. When lies become the principle standards of life, then humanity spirals downward into oblivion.
If compromise, which justifies ones life style, becomes easier, then it is pursued, and nothing wrong is seen in that pursuit. If indifference, then the same applies, and so forth.
People find is extremely difficult for some reason, to follow the very simply principles of doctrine presented by the Bible. They are convinced that the hustle and calling of the world are more appealing. And why not? The lusts and desires of the sin nature are very powerful forces. Eve wanted to eat of some fruit in order to gain something of which she had no clue of what it was that she was pursuing. This in the face of an entire Garden of delicacies from which she could choose.
So too is the world. It presents an image, a shadow, a silhouette, something that is not really there, and yet people by the droves pursue that which does not exist. And that which they think they have in life, will fade away sooner or later anyway.
One day we will all die. A fact which most people do not even want to discuss or face. Yet what you have in your soul at that point is far more important than anything you might have on your balance sheet or social calendar.
In our previous study (yesterday) we saw John repeating his appeal to the various spiritual ages of believers. His repetition is also an indicator of just what you need to do in life with respect to your spiritual growth. You have to keep on, keeping on. And .... ignore the world around you, with respect to its distracting appeal for your attentions.
The Bible is not a drive up window for genie wishes, but a long term study in soul management, and life preparation.
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Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
