Love Not the 'World'

John 3:16 announces, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Paradoxically, 1 John 2:16 teaches, “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.”

The single English word, “world” is used three ways in the Bible. First, it refers to God’s creation, “For by Him [Jesus] all things were created, in the heavens and on earth” (Colossians 1:16). Next, it refers to the people of the earth, “the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14).

Finally, “world” describes the hostile, sinful system that is actively opposed to God and His children. Jesus prayed to His Father that, “I have given them your Word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world” (John 17:14).

James 4:4 shows there must be a clear separation between the “world” and the Kingdom of God. “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

The children of God inhabit a world whose god is satan. “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4). This “god” will be judged (John 16:11) and will be evicted “the ruler of this world will be cast out.” John 12:31).

The people of the world need the light of the Gospel. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12). We are called to display His light to the world, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). As children of God we are also directed to behave as children of Light, “now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light” (Ephesians 5:8).

We display His Light through our lives, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Further, Philippians 2:15 tells us to “prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).

Jesus said His followers were not of the world (the evil system opposing God). He prayed not that God would “take them out of the world (creation and human population) but to keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15). He prayed we would be protected from the hatred of the world (John 15:18) and protect us from any sin that would destroy our testimony about Him.

Let us be children of His light in word and in deed.