You Cannot Love God and the Things in the World

You Cannot Love God and the Things in the World

“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.” 1 John 2:15.

One could believe that this was an exhortation to unbelievers, but we read previously to whom the apostle is writing. He is writing to those who know God the Father and in whom the word of God is abiding and who have overcome the wicked one. As we can see, such people need the exhortation not to love the world or the things in the world.

We read in Deuteronomy 28:1: “If you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I commanded you today . . . the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.” Then we read further about how God would bless them richly if they would keep all His commandments. All these blessings were an earthly glory, and in order to receive them, they had to keep God’s commandments.

Now Israel was being led into a life of faith. Everyone has an ear with which to hear and to appreciate these blessings, and everyone does what he can, using various means, to lay hold of them. They usually lie, play the hypocrite, argue, and use power to gain some earthly glory; but Israel was to keep God’s commandments to gain earthly riches. They were not supposed to lie and steal, etc.; they were to believe that God would give it to them.

It became evident that it was difficult for Israel to believe. They believed more in a lie and in their own strength than in God. Then we see that they came into need and turned to God, not because they loved God, but to be helped out of their earthly need. They received a tremendous earthly glory when they kept God’s commandments, and they were set above all the nations on earth.

In the New Testament we have promises of a heavenly glory, but only a few people have an ear for this blessing. “By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature . . . .” 2 Pet. 1:4.

What does it mean to love God? It means that I love the divine nature—the virtues of Christ—the fruits of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22. However, to partake of it, I have to forsake all earthly things. What does this mean? It means that my thoughts have to be set free from them; only then can I be occupied with partaking of divine nature.

The rich young man had kept the commandments and had obtained the promises. He had become very rich; nevertheless, he sensed a lack. Jesus offered him the heavenly treasure, but then he had to forsake his earthly treasures. Matt. 19:21. At this point his real attitude of mind was revealed. He wanted to have the earthly as well as the heavenly treasures. This is the mindset of most believers. When he had to choose, it became obvious that he did not love God, but he loved earthly things. In this same way many people love God because He gives them an earthly glory. This is not what it means to love God; it is to love the world and the things in the world.

Paul manifests a totally different attitude of mind when he writes, “But we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces patience.” Rom. 5:3. And James writes, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” Jas. 1:2-3.

In other words, patience is the thing to strive for. That is divine nature; that is what our thoughts should be concerned with in all our circumstances. When it is written that all things work together for our good, it refers to those who love God. Then we read further that they are conformed to the image of His Son. Rom. 8:28-29. For this purpose all things are to work together for our good. Partaking of divine nature is the “good” for those who love God. You cannot love the world and the things that are in the world and at the same time partake of patience. Those who think they can will never partake of divine nature.

“If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Many people praise God, and it sounds as if they love God when He gives them an earthly glory, but it is a deception.