Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Eastern.
In Lesson 41 we are going to study the final part of 1 John 2:15.
Let’s read our verse:
1 John 2:15…If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them.
Now, let’s take a look at the definition of the words in this part of 1 John 2:15.
If (1437. ean - Conjunction) means in case that or whenever.
anyone loves (5100. tis) (25. agapaó - Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular) means if any person esteems, takes pleasure in, or longs for.
the world (2889. kosmos - Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular) means something ordered or an ordered system like the universe or creation. Here, "the world" doesn't refer to the physical planet, but rather a way of thinking and living that is contrary to God's intentions and is shaped by Satanic values. (HELPS Word-studies)
the love (26. agapé - Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular) means benevolence, good will, esteem, or moral preference.
of the Father (3588. ho, hé, to) (3962. patér) means of the heavenly Father. He is the one who imparts life from physical birth to the spiritual birth that gives eternal life. (HELPS Word-Studies)
is (1510. eimi - Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular) means exists.
not in them (3756. ou, ouk, ouch - Adverb) (846. autos) means ruling out as a fact that the love of the father is in that person. (HELPS Word-Studies).
Here’s an amplified version, using the definitions we just went over:
Whenever anyone esteems, takes pleasure in, or longs for the ordered system of thinking and living that is contrary to God's intentions and shaped by Satanic values (the world), the benevolence, good will, esteem, and moral preference (the love) of the heavenly Father, who imparts life from physical birth to spiritual birth, giving eternal life, does not exist in that person, and it is a fact that the love of the Father is not present in them.
According to this verse, it is not possible to have a love for the world and a love of the Father at the same time.
The love of the world and the love of the Father are incompatible.
They do not mix.
This verse reveals that it is possible for a person to direct their love towards something other than God.
When someone has turned their attention away from God, or has never turned their attention towards God in the first place, their thoughts and attitudes are shaped by their own sinful tendencies rather than by God.
As a result, they are not aligned with God's character, purposes, or commands. Instead, they are resistant to God's authority and refuse to submit to His will.
Ultimately, we have a choice to make: we can either love the world and its sinful ways, or we can love God and His ways.
In Deuteronomy 30:19-20 we read about Moses’ final address to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. He gave them a life-or-death choice. They could either have life by loving and obeying God or have death by disobeying God. In other words, they had to choose to love the world or love God.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
In Joshua 24:15, Joshua gathered the tribes of Israel to reaffirm their commitment to God. He offered them a clear choice: they could either cling to the idols of their past or dedicate themselves to the worship and service of the LORD.
This choice represents the ultimate decision that we all must make: will we prioritize the fleeting pleasures and false promises of the world, or will we surrender our hearts to the one true God who loves us and desires our devotion?
Joshua 24:15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
These verses show us that there is no middle ground. You have to either love God or love the world.
God wants you to choose to love Him.
Matthew 6:24 presents a clear choice: you can't serve both God and money at the same time. This isn't a condemnation of wealth or material possessions, but rather a warning against allowing money to become your primary focus in life.
When you prioritize serving God, you'll use money as a means to bring Him glory. However, when you prioritize serving money, you'll use it to feed your own ego and desires. The Satanic world system often tempts people to make money their ultimate goal, but as Christians, we're called to a different path.
Matthew 6:24 (NIV) “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
In James 4:4, we read that when we choose to love the world, we become enemies of God. This stark warning highlights the consequences of prioritizing the world's values and desires over God's will and purposes.
By choosing the world, we are essentially rejecting God's love and authority, and instead, aligning ourselves with the forces of darkness that oppose Him. This choice has serious implications, as it puts us in direct conflict with God, making us His enemies.
When we choose to love the world, we are, in effect, declaring war on God.
By choosing the world, we are rejecting God's offer of love and salvation, and instead, embracing a path that leads to conflict and separation from Him.
James 4:4 (NIV) 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 Scriptures teach us that our hearts can only be fully devoted to one thing: either God or the world. If we're enamored with the world's values, pursuits, and pleasures, it's a sign that we're not truly loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This choice has eternal implications, and it's essential to examine our hearts and make a conscious decision about where our love and loyalty truly lie.
Now, let’s explore how a person can have the love of the Father in them.
In 1 John 4:9-10, we read that God demonstrated His incredible love for us by sending His Son Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins. In other words, God took the initiative to show us His love by giving Jesus as a sacrificial offering, which satisfied God's wrath and appeased His justice. This act of love made it possible for us to be forgiven and reconciled to God.
1 John 4:9-10 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you'll experience a profound transformation. The Holy Spirit will come into your life, giving you a new heart and a new spirit. You'll be empowered to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to live a life that honors and pleases Him.
This is the beginning of an incredible journey with God, one that will bring you joy, peace, and fulfillment. As you walk with God, you'll discover the depths of His love and the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.
In 2 Timothy 1:7, we read that our capacity to love is a gift from God, made possible through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Spirit empowers us to love God and others, and to live a life that is characterized by love, power, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
According to Deuteronomy 30:6, it's God who performs a spiritual "circumcision" on our hearts, removing the stubbornness and resistance that prevents us from loving Him. This means that God Himself takes the initiative to transform our hearts, enabling us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
In other words, without God's direct intervention, we wouldn't be able to overcome our natural resistance to Him and genuinely love Him. Our hearts would remain hardened and resistant to His love, but God's gracious work in us changes everything.
Deuteronomy 30:6 The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.
Only when the Spirit of God dwells within you can you truly love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. The Spirit's presence enables you to respond to God's love and live a life that honors Him.
On the other hand, without the Spirit of God, a person will consistently choose to love the world's system, which is opposed to God. They will be controlled by their sinful nature, making decisions that are driven by their fleshly desires rather than God's will.
In Romans 8:5-8, we learn that our mindset determines our relationship with God. When we live according to the flesh, our minds are consumed by worldly desires and sinful tendencies, leading to hostility towards God.
However, when we live according to the Spirit, our minds are transformed, and we begin to see the world from God's perspective. This spiritual mindset brings life, peace, and harmony with God.
The choice between these two mindsets is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, and it's essential to understand the implications of each.
Romans 8:5-8 Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.
In conclusion, when someone loves the world, or the Satanic system that opposes God, the love of the Father is not present in them. The love of the world and the love of God cannot coexist.
Just as the Israelites had to make a choice before entering the Promised Land, we too must make a choice: to love God or to love the world. We cannot serve two masters. There is no middle ground. If we choose the Satanic world system, we become enemies of God.
However, God has shown us His love by sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. When we put our faith in Him, He gives us the Spirit of God, who empowers us to love and obey Him. The Spirit of God gives us the strength to overcome our stubbornness and resistance to God's will, and to live a life that honors Him.
If you are struggling to obey God, ask Him to fill you with His Spirit and give you the strength to love Him. Remember, we are in a spiritual battle, and our enemy, Satan, is constantly seeking to distract and deceive us.
Review Lesson 39 and Lesson 37 for strategies you can use to overcome Satan.
Let’s read our verse one more time.
1 John 2:15…If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them.
If you’ve been blessed by Hope Bible School, please share it with others.
If you have any prayer requests, please share them in the comments.
Thank you and God bless you,
Jeff M Newman
Share this post