One of the main things that should set Christians apart from others is the fact that they shouldn't love the world. It's an odd idea when you think about it. We live in this world and our daily activities revolve around others in this world. So, why does the Lord not want us to love the world?
First, let's explain what that means. "Love not the world" is not talking about people. We are to care about the souls of others and actively witness to those around us. When the Bible says "love not the world" it's talking about positions and possessions in the world.
I John 2:15- Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
If we start loving exalted positions in this world, or the material possessions that we can acquire in this world, our love for God starts to wane.
Matthew 16:25- For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Our time on this earth is for the sole purpose of learning through the Scriptures and trials how to be more Christ-like. Jesus wasn't interested in acquiring worldly possessions, nor was he interested in a governmental position on this world.
Matthew 8:20- And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Matthew 4:8-10- Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Christ was offered the kingdoms of the world as one of the temptations by the devil. Notice how the Lord never said the devil didn't have power to grant this?
2 Corinthians 4:3-4- But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Those in the world worship a different god than we do- it could be money, or power, but ultimately they are following the devil, who is the god of this world.
The world doesn't know the Lord God Almighty or Jesus Christ.
John 1:10- He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 17:25- O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
In fact, when you play nicey nice and cozy up to the world you are showing a hatred to the Lord, because the world hates Jesus Christ. You can't love the enemy and still be in good graces with God.
James 4:4- Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
You may be thinking that's a little extreme, but the world hates the Jesus of the Bible.
John 7:7- The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
Why does the world hate Christ? Because He's not of it.
John 8:23- And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
The world may seems like it wants to be your friend, but make no mistake it's god is actively trying to destroy you.
I Peter 5:8- Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
They can put on a good act. The world can seem religious, kind, and even righteous, but it is pure wickedness in disguise.
I John 5:19- And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
This world has already been condemned by God, and one day everything in it will pass away.
1 Corinthians 11:32- But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
1 Corinthians 7:31- And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
We are to utilize the things in this world, but never are we to set our sights on acquiring as much of it as possible, because it's all going to perish.
2 Peter 3:10- But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Christ made a point to pray for the Christians, and He also made a point to not pray for the world.
John 17:9, 16- I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
When you got saved, you became a different person. You are no longer one of the world's citizens, and for that cause it will never truly accept you.
All that the world allures us with will one day be gone.
1 John 2:16-17- For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
When we stand before God we will not be judged according to how much we acquired or how noble our rank was, we will be judged according to our actions and motives.
I Corinthians 3:13- Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
So, let us walk as Christ did while He was here. Helping others along the way. Leading lost souls to the Savior who died for them. And when it is all over and our last breath has been exhaled, we will hear "well done" from our Savior.
