Author: evangelist_breland

1 John 2:15-17

If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him. The love of the world separates us from “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ” (Eph.1:3).

Christians must not lose sight that God has chosen them out of the world and set them apart as peculiar people to live transformed lives of holiness. James 4:4b said: “… whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” When we choose to love the world, we choose to form an alliance with Satan, “the thief who comes only to steal, to kill, and to destroy.” If we choose to love God, we accept His Son Jesus who “came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.”

John said that there are three classes of the world system that are not of the Father but of the world: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which is vain boasting. These evil cravings put the ways of man in conflict with the ways of God. It is fruitless to love the world: “The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (v.17). Apostle John stated that the fallen world system and its lust that defy the holiness of God won’t last. But the love of God is fruitful and promises everlasting life to those who obey the will of God. 

Lift your voice and shout “Glory!

1 John 2:15-17

In this world that is rebellious against God, His children are called “strangers and pilgrims” according to 1 Pet. 2:11. “If you belonged to the world, the world would love [you as] its own and would treat you with affection. But you are not of the world [you no longer belong to it], but I have chosen you out of the world. And because of this the world hates you” (John 15:19 AMP). Kingdom children have been chosen out of the world; therefore, they are not to love the world. They are to “live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10 NIV).

When believers do the will of God instead of loving the world, their faithful living manifests their love and loyalty to Him, reflecting that they are sanctified – completely set apart to God and His service. Even though believers are residents of this world, when Jesus prayed for his disciples in John 17, he said that they are not of the world, even as He is not of the world. God has a plan and purpose for His people, and in order to fulfill them, Christians are urged not to love this world nor the things that are in it. They are to be spiritually changed by the renewing of their minds. This change will result in Christian living that aligns with “what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2b).

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

1 John 2:15 

John began this passage telling believers, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (v.15). Consider that Ps. 24:1 said that God is the creator of the earth and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein are His. However, due to man’s disobedience, we live in a fallen world – a world that is rebellious against God. Therefore, He commands His people to have no other gods before Him (Exod. 20:3) neither, according to Rom. 12:2, be conformed to this world. He calls His people to be transformed by the renewing of their minds in order to fulfill the plan and purpose He has for them. Their thoughts, deeds, words, attitudes, and values are to change, reflecting spiritual growth. If we live according to the world’s standards, it is contrary to life in God, and John says that we do not love Him. 

Recall God’s graciousness to us and why believers must believe and trust in Him. First John 4:9-10 said “He sent His only begotten Son who died that we might have eternal life through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us…” Paul commanded that we seek those things which are above, and set our affection on them, not on things on the earth (Col. 3:1-2, paraphrased). Jesus told us that it is first and most important to seek His kingdom and His righteousness… (Matt. 6:33 AMP). Believers are called to love God with their total being, be loyal to Him, and do His will above all else. 

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 KJV

Paul said, “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you” (v.6); “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels” (v.7), “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v.8): “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (v.9); “When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day” (v.10). 

Paul gloried in the Thessalonian believers’ faith and suffering, assuring them and us that God is just. “For the Lord loves justice; He will not forsake His saints. Thy are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked will be cut off” (Ps. 37:28).

You may face persecution, but God will recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.Romans 12:19 says “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To those who are troubled He offers them rest in the Lord when He comes back with His mighty angels. For those who refuse to accept God and reject the gospel of Jesus Christ will receive the wrath of His vengeance in flaming fire. Those who do not know Him their punishment will be eternal separation from His presence and the glory of His power. Then Paul said that their testimony was believed among the Thessalonians. Therefore, in that day that Jesus comes, He will be glorified and admired because of the faithful living of all His children.

Lift your voice and give God glory!

2 Thessalonians 1:5-6 K J V

There will come a time on this Christian journey when believers need encouragement. This young Thessalonian church suffered many persecutions and hardships. So, here in this passage Paul boasted to God’s other churches, offering encouragement for their example and thanking God for their steadfast faith and increasing love for one another. Scripture says that Jesus Christ suffered and died for our sins; therefore, as followers of Christ, we will suffer and go through troubles, but we do have the blessed assurance that troubles don’t last always.

On one occasion Paul, who suffered much persecution, put it this way to his young minister, Timothy, telling him to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). This gave encouragement to the Thessalonians and believers today to keep holding on. Paul declared that in suffering “Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer” (v.5): “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you” (v.6). 

God is our creator; therefore, He is all-knowing and just in all His doings. When His children suffer and hold on steadfastly to their faith, their suffering is never in vain. His people trust Him, to strengthen them in the time of trouble. The suffering they endure for God’s kingdom is an evident token of His righteous judgment, and God counts them worthy of His kingdom. Like the Thessalonians, believers today have the assurance that God is just will make things right for his own elect.

Lift your voice and give God glory!