Don’t Love the World Instead of Doing God’s Will 2

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!”