Focused or Divided Love

“The love of God abhors the present world system. ‘Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love the Father is not in him. 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’ (1 John 2:15-16). Such purified love will always be the experience of the one in whom the love of God is imparted.” He That is Spiritual, L. S. Chafer.

In this verse, John’s use of the word “world” is the word “kosmos.” He is advocating a temporal, ethical dualism in which there is a constant battle going on between the realms of darkness and light. When people love or “agapao” the world, they are misapplying this human emotion in a way that will lead to their demise. The object of one’s love or affection is decisive and our allegiance must not be divided. Our affection must be focused and specific. If not a battle ensues for either side. One will always win over the other when it does.

The correct application of love here springs from the fact that the believer has a singular loyalty and commitment to the Father. This verse states clearly that one cannot love the world and love God at the same time. The absolute nature of this statement is striking and compels careful and serious reflection. The stakes are high. Because the Father’s kingdom is at war with the kingdom of this world, the two will never coexist peacefully. To pledge allegiance to one side is to declare opposition to the other (Daniel L. Akin, The New American Commentary).

Each day, every person in the world depends on something or someone. Let’s face it; we depend on our cars to get us to work and about, our payroll checks when they come due, our health to keep us moving each day, and various other things that effect our minutes, hours, weeks, and years throughout our lifetime. We depend on things unconsciously sometimes until it breaks down and we are faced with what to do next. Sometimes they are minor inconveniences such as the flu, or a flat tire. They don’t change our life in the long run but cause interferences in the act of daily life. They do however become life changing when we receive a notification of a life altering illness, the loss of a job, or loss of a close loved one. Our problem here becomes perspective, and many times we have life out of heavenly perspective.

The problem here is the fact is what or who we love can have some very big implications for us in the future. Can we depend on them always? You see your car and your clothes won’t last forever. In fact neither will your job, or your health; but Jesus will. Your eternity has been already secured if you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. You can depend on it. So why not love Someone who has the ability to never let you down and forget about trying to feed our affections here on earth. Remember, this is a battle in the realm of light and darkness. Your allegiance cannot be divided.