Our scripture this morning is 1 John 2:12-17.
“I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus. I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one. I have written to you who are God’s children because you know the Father. I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one. Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”
John writes to us about keeping our focus on God and not being distracted by the things of this world. “Things” are not evil in and of themselves, they can’t perform actions by choice as we do. It is our choice to disobey God that brought evil into the world.
We are warned that our “craving for everything we see” (v. 16) will lead us astray, and that this world is only our temporary home. John tells us “this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave” (v. 17). Our possessions, money, and power will not accompany us into the world to come, nor can they save us.
Only by repenting and accepting God’s love sent to us in Jesus can we enter eternal life. Jesus came to show us how God’s wonderful gift can be ours and that His mercy extends to all His children. When we believe and change our hearts and lives in accordance with His will, we become part of His plan of salvation for all.
Loving Lord, we are sorry for our selfish disobedience. Help us to choose You always and forever, sharing Your love with all the world. Amen.