1 John 2:12-17 (NLT) 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.
Sunday evening, as I looked into fixing dinner, nothing in the refrigerator or pantry really sounded good or was just too much work to prepare. I was tired, but hungry. Sigh. When John said, “Hey, let’s go to Untouchables Pizza,” a powerful craving for an Italian calzone rose up in me! I was just thrilled and within thirty minutes we were on our way to enjoy dinner with some great friends!
Our passage today is a powerful message of truth for me and I hope for you. Although I crave a vibrant relationship with God and daily discipline myself to grow in the love and grace of the Lord, I can never forget I am a human with cravings for earthly pleasures that are real and powerful with my soul. I don’t think craving a calzone on Sunday evening is an evil thing and I don’t feel guilty in any way. (Laugh with me) But, this natural world brings some cravings to our souls that are evil and certainly not of God. So, we must be on guard and ask ourselves, “What is my greatest craving each day? To please God or to please myself?” Because we live in a fallen world, every day a platter of worldly cravings will be served to our senses. We must allow the Word of God to satisfy us first thing each day, so we will not yield to unrighteous cravings.
Prayer: Lord, your Word is satisfying and your grace provides eternal blessings galore. Thank you for meeting my needs and giving me wisdom to handle the cravings the world serves up. May my life please and glorify you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.