1 John 2:15-17 - "Whoever Does the Will of God Abides Forever"

Today, Saturday July 17 “Whoever Does the Will of God Abides Forever” 1 John 2:15-17 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. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. There are at least four reasons given here why we should not love the world and the things that are in the world. First, because of what the world is. It is Satan’s invisible spiritual system of evil that is opposed to God and Christ. Second, because of what the world does to us. It promises us happiness, success and fulfilment but leaves us empty and broken. Third, because of what we are as children of God. We are a part of a heavenly family and we are only strangers passing through this world temporarily. And fourth, because the world is passing away but when we do those things that please God, we will “abide forever.” I couldn’t help but notice that in verse fourteen we read that the “young men were strong and were able to overcome the evil one” because the “Word of God was abiding in them”. Then in verse seventeen, we are told that when we “do the will of God we abide forever.” How do become overcomers? We must first have the Word of God abiding in us. Remember Jesus told His disciples that they were clean because the Word of God that was spoken to them, and also that they could ask for whatever they desired and it would be done for them because the Word was abiding in them. (John 15:3-7) When we have God’s Word living in us we will only ask for those things that please Him. Because it only through the Word of God that we know the will of God. The Word of God abiding in us fills us with the truth, the principles, the light, the promises, the life and ways of God (John 14:6). As we submit and obey, (“do the will of God”), we are filled with the promise and power of the Holy Spirit to stand against the forces of evil that are organized to destroy us. John would later remind us in this letter that “you are from God and have overcome them, for greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) And, “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith!” (1 John 5:4) Please don’t live a defeated, miserable and meaningless life! Today we have been promised victory and life as we believe that “Jesus is the Son of God”! (1 John 5:5) God bless!