In it Not of it (originally posted on 1/30/08)

1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)
15Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16For 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.

17The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.


Do you remember being a small child during Christmas or around your Birthday? You would sit around with visions of all the grand items that you wanted to emerge from neatly wrapped packages. You would imagine that inside each box or bag there was something wonderful that you were just dying to have.

Then the day would come when you could finally shred that neat packaging in to a mound of thrashed scraps. You would dig your fingers in deep tearing off bows and ribbons, snapping taped corners and unveiling the treasure inside. The excitement, the anticipation, the underwear?

Man by nature is a greedy being controled by desires, cravings, and a carnal instinct. This is the nature of the world and our inheritence from Adam and Eve's garden party. In 1 John, and through the example of Jesus Christ, we are taught God desires that we should resist this nature and instead look to him for guidance. In short, be Christ-like Christians.

This is, of course, no easy task and ultimately not one that we can fully acheive. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. Luckily, we belong to a God who loves his creation and delights when he sees us strive to do his will.

In today's world of high pressure and cut throat tactics where he who dies with the most toys wins, it is easy to lose sight of the only thing that will have any value once you are in the ground, God. Being in the world and not of it means doing things the way Christ would have you do it. In business, in family, in relationships, even when dealing with those you really don't like ask yourself, "what is my goal?" If the answer is simply to get more money, to be more popular, to acquire more stuff then you need to assess whose image you are projecting.

Christians are never called to be selfish. Look at the one whose name we wear. He could have said, "that hurts too much", he could have said, "save yourself", he could have said, "you're not worth it". What he did say was, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (NIV)

Jesus never asked, "what's in it for me." Instead he was all about what's in it for you. Let us strive to look less at the world's view of me, me, me and instead see God's serving nature. By the way, thanks for the undies Grandma.


Prayer: God, I thank you for loving me in a way that is special. I thank you for not seeing me as the world would, a person who has gone against your every wish, who is conceited and at times rebellious. Lord, I thank you for seeing me as your child. Lord, I praise your name above all names, you are the maker and creator, the powerful one, to you be all glory. Thank you for the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ. Though I am unworthy I gladly accept his gift of salvation. Go with me now Lord, and stay with me always guiding me and teaching me in your love. Use me as a tool to help further build your kingdom. I love you Father, in your holy name I pray, Amen.