1 John 2:15-17
For the past three to four weeks, I have been bombarded with emails from retailers. My “junk mail” box is full of them every morning. I’m sure you know what I mean. If I have searched the internet for an item, then the next time I know I have every kind of advertising arriving by email that even remotely resembled my search. It is all worldly stuff to distract me from maintaining a holy balance, as well as a healthy spiritual perspective and direction for my life.
The world vies for our love and devotion in order to lure us away from loving God first. We live in the world, but we cannot allow our love for the world to supersede our love for God or devotion to his commanded ways for our lives. As believers, we are to live for eternity; we are to live by praising and pleasing Almighty God with every aspect of our lives. Severing our allegiance and soul ties to worldly things and pleasures will be the work of our Redeemer. We belong to Christ; we made a covenant by choosing our Master and Lord that was signed in his blood. Our love for God must be our first priority; our lives will reveal our level of devotion. Our love for our neighbors—everyone else including self—must follow. The key to keeping the right priority this upcoming holiday season is to focus on enjoying and nurturing relationships. Spend time with the Lord and express your love and gratitude for his extravagant generosity, as well as affirm your love and appreciation for others by giving authentic lovingkindness…by giving of yourself. When we give ourselves to others we are giving Christ in us.
1 John 2:15-17 Do Not Love This World
15 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. 16 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. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your extravagant love, wisdom, and grace found in your gift of Jesus Christ. You have given me these gifts so I can enjoy a holy balance for my life while I live on earth. Holy Spirit, help me with my priorities and stir within my heart a spirit of thanksgiving, as well as a craving for your ongoing work of salvation and redemption. In Jesus’ name. Amen.