Balance

Finding a balance between living in the world and having a love of God is something that believers have struggled with since the early 1st century. In 1 John 2:12-17, John addresses the challenge of balancing life, particularly how we live without loving it. Let's dive in and see what John has to say.

John writes:

12 I am writing to you, little children,  since your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.  13 I am writing to you, fathers,  because you have come to know the one who is from the beginning.  I am writing to you, young men,  because you have conquered the evil one. 14 I have written to you, children,  because you have come to know the Father.  I have written to you, fathers, because you have come to know the one who is from the beginning.  I have written to you, young men, because you are strong,  God’s word remains in you,  and you have conquered the evil one.

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.

1 John 2:12-17 (CSB)

You Are Forgiven (1 John 2:12)

John begins by reassuring believers of their forgiveness. "I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake." This foundational truth is where our journey begins. Our sins are forgiven, not because of anything we’ve done, but because of Jesus and His sacrifice. This forgiveness is the bedrock of our faith and our relationship with God.

You Know the Father (1 John 2:13-14)

Next, John assures us of our intimate relationship with God. "I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning." Knowing the Father is a profound privilege and blessing. It means having an intimate relationship with God, the Creator of the universe. Knowing the Father is central to our faith, whether we are new believers or have walked with God for many years.

You Are Victorious in the Faith (1 John 2:13-14)

John proclaims our victory in Christ. "I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one… I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one." This victory is not something we achieve on our own; it is through Christ and His word that we overcome the temptations and trials of this world. The strength to stand firm comes from God’s word dwelling in us, empowering us to resist the evil one and live victoriously.

Do Not Love the World (1 John 2:15-17)

John warns us against loving the world and its temptations. "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." This is a stark reminder that our love should not be divided between God and the world.

John addresses three key temptations: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

      • The Lust of the Flesh This is seen in the story of Eve when she chose the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil to satisfy her fleshly desires (Genesis 3:6).

      • The Lust of the Eyes This is exemplified in the story of David and Bathsheba when David saw Bathsheba and desired her (2 Samuel 11).

      • The Pride of Life This is evident in the story of Demas, who deserted Paul because he loved the things of this life more than God (Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:10).

These temptations are not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires are passing away, but those who do the will of God will live forever.

John is speaking about the balance of life, realizing that we can live in the world, but we must not love the world. Our love is for God, and trying to do both is incompatible. It's a matter of aligning our desires with God's will and not letting the temporary pleasures of this world eclipse our love for Him.

Take the biblical accounts of examples of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. The lust of the flesh is seen when Eve chose the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil to satisfy her fleshly desires (Genesis 3:6). The lust of the eyes is exemplified in the story of David and Bathsheba when David saw Bathsheba and desired her (2 Samuel 11). The pride of life is evident in the story of Demas, who deserted Paul because he loved the things of this life more than God (Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:10).

John’s message is clear: We are forgiven. We know the Father, and We are victorious through Him. But we must be vigilant against the temptations of the world. Let’s hold onto these truths and live them out each day, knowing who we are in Christ and striving to love God above all else.

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