Separation from the World: Understanding I John 2:15-17

1. The First Epistle of John Separation from the World - I John 2:15-17 I John 2:15 – NKJV “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” • kosmos, Scofield Summary: • “In the sense of the present world-system, the ethically bad sense of the word, refers to the “order” or “arrangement”, under which Satan has organized the world of unbelieving mankind upon his cosmic principle of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure. • Matt 4:8,9; John 12:31,14:30,18:36; Eph 2:2,6:12; I John 5:19 • This world-system is imposing and powerful with armies and fleets; is often outwardly religious, scientific, cultured, and elegant; but, seething with national and commercial rivalries and ambitions, is upheld in any real crisis only by armed force, and is dominated by Satanic principles.” • What kind of love is this for the world system and its things that we’re commanded (imperative) to avoid? • agapaō, really? 1 March 27, 2011 Bob Eckel

2. The First Epistle of John Separation from the World - I John 2:15-17 • In the new man, is this agapaō love for kosmos consistent with His nature? • If not then isn’t this simply the continuing message to remain in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ and avoid the alternative? • James 4:4 ‘Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.’ • If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. • ‘If’ is 3rd class condition and present active subjunctive. • Notice that the preposition here is in not to! • Two natures again emphasized. • I John 2:16 “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” • lust – strong desires or vain cravings. • The big three! • Can you describe the kosmos any better than this? 2 March 27, 2011 Bob Eckel

3. The First Epistle of John Separation from the World - I John 2:15-17 • What is the lust of the flesh? • That of the animal, the basics? • Satan’s way of tempting (testing) Christ to resolve his hunger. • Luke 4:3 ‘And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." • Lust of the eyes? • The path through which outward things of the world, riches, pomp, and beauty, engage us. • Satan similarly tempted (tested) Christ when he showed Him the kingdoms of the world in a moment. • Luke 4:5,6 ‘Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.’ • Pride of life? • JFB – Literally, “arrogant assumption” or vainglorious display • What does pride imply? • See I Cor 4:6,7 3 March 27, 2011 Bob Eckel

4. The First Epistle of John Separation from the World - I John 2:15-17 • Luke 4:9 ‘Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.’ • An added warning and note of encouragement to us: • Col 2:8 ‘Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.’ • The contrast: • Christ vs. the world • We as new creations in Christ vs. being out of fellowship and responsive to the old man that has been crucified. • Gal 5:17 ‘For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.’ • John 17:14 "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.’ 4 March 27, 2011 Bob Eckel

5. The First Epistle of John Separation from the World - I John 2:15-17 • I John 2:17 “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” • And the worthlessness of earthly possessions will be made known – Rev 18:11-19. • Matt 24:35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. • is passing away – it’s already happening. • he who is doing – right now and in fellowship. • What is the will of God? • Rom 8:29 ‘For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.’ • abides forever – present active indicative • Is it he and/or his works? • Are these the rewards? 5 March 27, 2011 Bob Eckel