Love Not the World

The Love God Hates, Part 2

1 John 2:12-14

REVIEW

First John 2:12-17 discusses the subject of love. However, it isn't the kind of love that is honoring to God; rather it is a love that He hates. The apostle John says, "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" (v. 15). The meaning of the term "world" in this context refers to the system of evil that dominates the earth. Christians are not to love that system because it is inconsistent with their love for the Father. First John 5:19 says that the whole world lies in control of the wicked one. It conveys the picture of a nurse cradling a child. The whole world is cradled in the arms of Satan. Christians are not citizens of this world; we are citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20). Although we exist in the Satanically inspired system that dominates man's society, we are not to love it because it is corrupt (2 Pet. 1:4) and godless (1 John 2:16).

One of the problems that the church continually faces is determining who speaks truth and who distorts truth. John's epistle gives us some tests for telling the true from the false. You can tell a true Christian from a false one by what he believes and by what he does. The doctrinal test has two parts: confessing sin and confessing Christ. The moral test also has two parts: obedience and love. A true Christian will love God and fellow Christians, but he will not love the world, because it is impossible for a true Christian to continually be in love with a Satanic system that opposes God. A person must choose sides. Jesus said, "He that is not with me is against me" (Matt. 12:30). He also said, "No man can serve two masters" (Matt. 6:24). You cannot be a spiritual schizophrenic. You cannot say, "I love God and the brethren, but I also love the world's satanic system." That's an impossibility, because you would be loving opposites.

Although true Christians do not love the world, we sometimes flirt with it. The present imperative in verse 15, which exhorts us to stop loving the world, implies that we must be diligent to become what we should be. Christians by nature and by position do not habitually love the world's system--we aren't even to flirt with it. The Old Testament puts it this way: "Choose you this day whom ye will serve" (Josh. 24:15).

There are four reasons John gives here for not loving the world:

I. BECAUSE OF WHAT THE WORLD IS (v. 15)

LESSON

II. BECAUSE OF WHO CHRISTIANS ARE (vv. 12-14)

The second reason Christians do not love the world is that we are God's family. Verse 15 says, "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Those two loves are mutually exclusive. John 8 illustrates why. The Pharisees said to Jesus, "Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God; this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father.... Ye are of your father the devil" (vv. 39-41, 44). The Pharisees claimed to be the children of Abraham, but they sure didn't act like Abraham.

There are two families in the world: the family of God, and the family of Satan. We do not believe in the fatherhood of God or the brotherhood of man--that God is everyone's father and that all men are brothers. Men are either children of God or of Satan. As Christians, we do not love the world because we are the family of God. First John 2:12-14 says, "I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." John describes the different kind of believers in the family of God. Some are spiritual babies, some are young men, and some are fathers, but we are all His children. Therefore, because I'm a child of God, I don't love Satan's system or give my allegiance to him. John speaks about the family of God and the different levels of maturity that His children have. True Christians are forgiven, they know God, and they have overcome Satan's system. The very nature of the family allows no possibility of loving God and the satanic system simultaneously.

A. The Mercy Extended Towards God's Children (v. 12)

"I write unto you, little children (Gk. teknia), because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake."

1. Stated

The term teknia has a general meaning of "born ones" without designation of age. John is acknowledging that his readers are all the offspring of God. As His children, their sins are forgiven for His name's sake. That is a fantastic statement. Our sins are not forgiven because we have asked them to be forgiven--although in a sense that's true. They are primarily forgiven because of God's name. In other words, God forgave us because that act of mercy glorified Him. It was for the sake of His name that He forgave you and me. It wasn't because we deserved it. The reason you and I are saved is because God has a merciful nature. God chose to display His mercy and we are simply the benefactors.

God desires to demonstrate His glory. If you understand that, then you will understand a primary emphasis of Scripture. God made man to be a vehicle of His glory. He wants to put His attributes on display. When you stand up as a graciously forgiven sinner, the world can recognize that God is gracious and forgiving. It honors God to redeem you. In fact, Ephesians 3:10 says He has put the church on display before the angels that the angels might give Him praise for His wisdom. God's glory is a foundational reason for all that He does. Let's examine some passages that demonstrate God's desire to display His mercy.

2. Supported

a) Micah 7:18-19--The prophet asks the rhetorical question, "Who is a God like unto thee, who pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again; he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." What a pardoning God! He pardons sin to display His merciful character.

b) Psalm 32:2--David said, "Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity."

c) Psalm 86:5--"Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy unto all those who call upon thee." The criterion for receiving mercy is calling upon the Lord. God is a God of forgiveness. He has always been that way, even though there are people who teach that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament. They fail to see the abundant evident of God's grace in the Old Testament.

d) Isaiah 43:25--God said of Himself, "I, even I, am he who blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." The primary reason God forgave you was not for you; it was for Him. The main theme of the universe is that its Creator is to be glorified. We need a lofty picture of our great, merciful God, who pardons that He might display His grace to the world.

e) Luke 24:47--Jesus commissioned His disciples that "repentance and [forgiveness] of sins should be preached in his name among all nations."

f) Ephesians 1:4-6--The Father has "chosen us in him before the foundation of the world ... having predestinated us ... to the praise of the glory of his grace."

g) Psalm 25:11--"For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity." David said, "Lord, I want you to pardon my sin, not for my sake, but for yours." Have you ever prayed like that?

Praying the Perfect Prayer

Have you ever prayed, "Lord, save so-and-so that it might be a glory to Your name"; or, "Lord, so-and-so is sick; heal them for Your glory"; or, "Lord, so-and-so is sick and may die. Do whatever gives You the most glory"? That's the way to pray. When we pray for our sake, we reverse the priorities. If you always pray for what you want, you'll never be able to pray according to the will of God because you won't be interested in it. But when you pray, "Do whatever gives You glory, God," you really are praying the right way. You've got to care about the glory of God first. Sometimes that isn't easy because we want so many other things. If you pray just for yourself, you are selfish and don't understand the importance of God's glory. Jesus said, "If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it" (John 14:14). In other words, "If you ask anything for the sake of my name--anything that will give me glory--I'll do it." So your prayers should be, "Father, do this because I believe it will be for the glory of Christ." A person who consistently prays that way reveals his spiritual maturity. Sometimes it's difficult not to pray for ourselves, and I'm sure God understands that. But in the back of our minds, we must remember that everything is for His glory. If you're having trouble accepting that, then you'll have trouble attaining spiritual maturity.

h) Psalm 79:8--"Remember not against us former iniquities; let thy tender mercies speedily meet us; for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name; and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.

i) Psalm 106:8--"Nevertheless, he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known." The Lord saved Israel and He saves us to display His glory to the rest of the world.

j) Psalm 109:21--David knew how to pray. He said, "Do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake; because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me."

k) Jeremiah 14:7--"O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do it for thy name's sake." When you care more about God's glory than you do about yourself, that's maturity.

l) Isaiah 48:9, 11--"For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.... For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it."

The family of God has been forgiven. I'm not worried about the effectiveness of God's forgiveness because He's doing it for His sake, not mine. People say, "I wonder if he's forgiving me." If He designs to forgive you for His sake, accept His graciousness. You didn't earn His forgiveness, and you can't earn it now. He does it for His own sake. As members of God's family, we have been forgiven. How then could we ever love that which is part of the world's system?

B. The Maturing Process of God's Children (vv. 13-14)

1. Explaining spiritual maturity

The Bible teaches that there are levels of spiritual maturity. Not all Christians are at the same level; otherwise Peter wouldn't have exhorted us to "grow in grace" (2 Pet. 3:18), or "Desire the pure milk of the word, that ye may grow by it" (1 Pet. 2:2). Let's see how the process of maturity is illustrated in Scripture.

a) Mark 4:28--Jesus used the analogy of the growth stages of corn to indicate mystery of spiritual growth: "For the earth bringeth forth fruit of itself: first the blade, then the ear, after that the full grain in the ear."

b) John 21:15-16--When questioning the commitment of Peter's love for Him, Jesus requested him to not only feed His lambs, but His sheep as well. The Lord recognized at least two different levels of spiritual growth: mature sheep and little lambs. I believe that any preacher who is going to feed his flock has got to be aware that there are lambs as well as sheep in his congregation. He should always have something in his message for both groups.

c) Romans 14:1; 15:1--Paul's discussion of the weaker brother indicates different levels of spiritual maturity.

Spirituality is not the same thing as maturity. Spirituality is a momentary absolute; maturity is a process. A spiritual Christian walks in the Spirit, while a carnal Christian walks in the flesh. Can you be a spiritual Christian at any point in your growth? Sure you can. You can also lose your spirituality by walking in flesh. Even someone who gets to the level of a spiritual father could still act in the flesh. Spirituality depends on whether at any given moment a Christian is yielded to the Holy Spirit. In contrast, maturity is the process of becoming more spiritual and less carnal. The maturing process can occur only in the context of spirituality. For example, a spiritual babe, who knows only the ABC's of Christianity, can become a spiritual young man as he walks in the Spirit. As soon as he acts in the flesh, his growth reaches a plateau. But as he yields to the Spirit, he begins to grow again. You can grow only when you allow God to work through you.

2. Encouraging spiritual maturity

All spiritual babes do not automatically become young men, and young men do not automatically become fathers. You say, "I may be a spiritual baby now, but give me a couple of years, and I'll be a young man." Spiritual maturity isn't solely a matter of time. There are some Christians who never progress past the stage of spiritual infancy as a result of death, backsliding, or failure to study the Word. However, all spiritual babes should become young men and fathers.

Paul said in Ephesians 4:14, "Be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive." If you are a Christian who isn't growing, you are contradicting the very essence of what the Lord expects of you. First Corinthians 14:20 says, "Brethren, be not children in understanding." In our understanding, we are to be mature men. However, the level of a person's spiritual growth has very little to do with age.

3. Examining spiritual maturity

a) Little children (v. 13c)

"I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father."

(1) Their character explained

All Christians start as spiritual children. They must first be born into God's family. The Greek word for "children" in verse 13 is paidia, not teknia, which is used in verse 12 to refer to people who are born of God (who become Christians). Paidia, however, refers to infants, and is associated with ignorance. Our English word pedagogy, which involves instruction, has that Greek term as its root. These children are spiritually uninstructed. Their understanding is limited to the basics of salvation: They know the Father. In the natural realm, the first thing a baby discovers is its parents. "Mama" and "Dada" are some of the first words babies can say. Similarly, in the spiritual realm, the distinguishing characteristic of a baby Christian is his acknowledgement of God as His heavenly Father. He expresses his attachment to God. He delights in God and depends on Him. According to Paul in Galatians 4:6 and Romans 8:15, the spiritual babe addresses God as "Abba," (an Aramaic equivalent to daddy).

Invariably little children are regulated by their affections, not by their understanding. They don't reason things out. They delight in their experiences. They're quickly excited and easily afraid. They wonder if they're really saved, and if Satan and his demons can have any effect on him. If they hear about prophecy, they're worried about whether they are going to get taken in the Rapture. They struggle with those kinds of fears because they express their relationship to God on an emotional basis, rather than a rational one. Throughout the Bible when the concept of children is used in a spiritual sense, it refers to spiritual ignorance.

(2) Their character exemplified

(a) 1 Corinthians 3:1--"I, brethren, could not speak unto you as spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes (Gk. nepeon) in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with solid food; for to this time ye were not able to bear it." Because the Corinthians were ignorant of deeper spiritual truths, Paul could only teach them basic things. The reason they stayed as infants is that they were carnal. Spiritual growth occurs only when a Christian walks in the Spirit.

(b) Ephesians 4:14--Christians who are little children spiritually are saved, but they are easily swept away by false doctrine because of their limited understanding of true doctrine. Invariably, it's the spiritual infants who get sucked into the cults with their doctrinal heresies.

(c) Matthew 11:25--Jesus said, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." The contrast implies that "babes" are ignorant. The disciples were naive spiritual babes.

b) Young men (vv. 13b, 14b)

"I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one.... I have written unto, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."

(1) Their understanding of Scripture

Apparently, John addresses the different spiritual levels of Christians a second time for emphasis. If you're going to overcome the wicked one, who is Satan, you have to be strong. How do you get strong? By letting the Word of God abide in you. When you do that, you are a spiritual young man. A spiritual baby is ignorant, but a young man has understanding. He's no longer functioning on his emotions; he has a grasp on theology. Unfortunately, it is usually at this stage that the problem of spiritual pride appears. A spiritual young man can get to the place where he thinks he knows all the answers. That's true in the natural realm: Little children don't know anything, but teenagers think they know everything. Then, when you get into your late 20's, you realize you don't know anything. No one knows as much as a teenager thinks he does. When you get to the place where you know a lot, you need to watch for the stumbling block of spiritual pride.

(2) Their use of strength

Young men are doctrinally strong. Therefore, they've overcome the wicked one. You may say, "John, I can't imagine overcoming Satan." I don't see that as a problem. In fact, I never give Satan a second thought. Even when I read a book about Satan, I don't dwell on him; I just think about what the book says in relation to what God is doing. There are some Christians who are so worried about the devil that they spend a great deal of time reading about him. But if you are a spiritual young man, you have overcome Satan. A spiritual young man no longer functions on his emotions because he knows where he stands doctrinally.

How do you know when you are a spiritual young man?You know you've arrived at that level of maturity when false doctrine doesn't interest you, but gets you angry. If someone asks, "What do you believe?" you are able to tell them and support your answer with Scripture. A young man has outgrown his emotions and feelings and looks to the Word for guidance. Whereas spiritual babies are primarily concerned about their own needs, a young man is not. Did you ever know of a baby that cried because his little brother or sister had a problem? No, because children are naturally self-centered. However, the concern of a spiritual young man is to learn the Word of God to become well-established in sound doctrine. 

(3) Their understanding of Satan

(a) His strategy stated

But what does knowing doctrine have to do with overcoming the wicked one? Simply this: Satan operates in the area false doctrine. If I sin, I don't say, "The devil made me do it." I don't need the devil to sin because my flesh will do that on its own. Galatians 5:19-21 tells us about the works of the flesh. Some people try to blame their sins on the demon of this or the demon of that. Although demons may be indirectly involved, the problem is our sinful flesh. Satan and his cohorts aren't running around poking people in the ribs saying, "Think a dirty thought," "Steal that lettuce," or "Cheat on your income tax." The demonic forces have other things to do. Knowing, however, that our flesh can be activated by impulses from the world, Satan does indirectly tempt us through the world's system, which he controls.

(b) His strategy supported

i) 2 Corinthians 11:14-15--Satan disguises himself as "an angel of light" (v. 14). He is busy working--as are his servants, who similarly are "transformed as the ministers of righteousness" (v. 15)--in false systems of religion. They must be busy because there are so many false religions and cults in the world.

ii) Leviticus 17:7--"They shall no more offer their sacrifices unto demons, after whom they have played the harlot." Satanic activity in the area of religion isn't anything new. The Old Testament tells us that when pagan people offered sacrifices to their gods, they were actually offering sacrifices to demons.

iii) Deuteronomy 32:17--When Israel rebelliously sacrificed to false gods, "They sacrificed unto demons, not to God; to gods whom they knew not." Satan is either directly or indirectly involved in every false religion. Consequently, anyone who bows at any shrine rather than at the cross of Jesus Christ is offering himself to a demon.

iv) Psalm 106:36-37--"They served their idols, which were a snare unto them. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons." All the religions of the world, regardless of their levels of sophistication, are designed by Satan and manipulated by demons. Since Satan operates in that arena, you will overcome him when you are solid in doctrinal truth.

v) 1 Timothy 4:1--The Bible says there will be those who "depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons." False doctrine is where demons are most operative.

vi) 1 John 4:1--John warned, "Believe not every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Such teachers are spirits of the Antichrist (1 John 2:18).

vii) 1 Corinthians 10:20-21--The apostle Paul warned the Corinthians that they were trying to have fellowship with the Lord and with demons at the same time by carrying on their pagan worship. All religion that is outside of biblical Christianity is demoniacally influenced.

Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. That's his primary function. Therefore, when you know sound doctrine, you will overcome Satan. When you were saved, you overcame the world (1 John 5:4). When you become knowledgeable about the Word of God, you overcome Satan. The only enemy left is the flesh. Unfortunately, you have to wait until you are taken to heaven to get rid of that problem. Satan shouldn't be a problem for any spiritual young man.

c) Spiritual fathers (vv. 13a, 14a)

"I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.... I have written unto you fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning."

Spiritual babies delight in their experiences, and young men delight in their understanding, but fathers delight in God. It's one thing to be a spiritual young man and know the Word; it's something else to be a spiritual father and know the God behind the page. The spiritual father has plumbed the depths of the knowledge of God. He is doesn't just know doctrine; he knows the God who revealed it. He may spend as much time in prayer as he does in study because he knows the Word and wants to commune with the One who is revealed in it. I wait for the day when I won't have to study all day long to learn the Word because I'll know it. Then I can just spend all day communing with the One behind the Word. A spiritual father has a personal, experiential, in-depth knowledge of God. That kind of knowledge was in Paul's mind when he said, "That I may know him" (Phil. 3:10). Paul sought to plumb the depths of all that God is.

CONCLUSION

A. The Injunctions for Spiritual Growth

There are different levels of maturity within God's family. Some of you are little children, some of you are young men, and some of you are fathers. Regardless of the level you are currently at, there is probably nothing more important than growing spiritually. The New Testament talks about the process of spiritual growth in many terms:

1. 1 Timothy 6:11 says we are to "follow after righteousness."

2. Romans 6:4 says we are to "walk in newness of life."

3. Romans 12:2 says we are to be continually transformed.

4. 2 Corinthians 7:1 says we are to be "perfecting holiness."

5. Ephesians 4:15 says we are to grow up into Christ.

6. Philippians 3:14 says we are to "press toward the mark."

7. Colossians 2:7 says we are to be built up in the faith.

8. 2 Peter 3:18 says we are to "grow in grace."

9. Colossians 3:16 says we are to "let the Word of Christ dwell in [us] richly.

B. The Ingredients for Spiritual Growth

Spiritual growth isn't a mystical or a psychological process. It is simply the result of two things: the Word of God and holiness. As you study the Word and walk in obedience to it in holy living, maturity takes place. There aren't any secrets. Spiritual growth is not an instantaneous gimmick.

1. God's Word

The Word of God is necessary to make you grow. That process is called sanctification in the New Testament. Paul said in Acts 20:32, "I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up." In 2 Timothy 3:16, he said, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be [mature]." Maturity comes out of the Word. There isn't any secret formula.

2. Holy living

Holiness is the second ingredient necessary for spiritual growth. You grow when you walk in the Spirit, shunning every known sin and obeying every known command. When you strive to be like Jesus Christ and yield to the Holy Spirit, spiritual fruit will be produced in you. But even holiness is a result of the Word. In John 15:3, Jesus said, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."

God wants His family to grow. If we are spiritual babies, let's be young men. If we're young men, let's be fathers. The Christian does not love the world because of what it is--the enemy of God, and because of who we are--the family of God.

Focusing on the Facts

1. What are the first two reasons that Christians do not love the world?

2. Are all men brothers in a spiritual sense? Is God the spiritual father of all men? Explain.

3. What is the primary reason that the sins of God's children have been forgiven? Explain.

4. Why did God make man?

5. What divine attribute does God display when He pardons sin?

6. What do people who claim that the God of the Old Testament is not the same as the God of the New Testament fail to see?

7. Explain how the object of a Christian's prayers can reveal his level of spiritual maturity.

8. Why shouldn't you be worried about the effectiveness of God's forgiveness?

9. How does John 21:15-16 indicate that there are different levels of spiritual growth?

10. Differentiate between spirituality and maturity. What does spirituality depend on? What does maturity depend on?

11. Do spiritual babes automatically become young men, and young men, automatically become spiritual fathers? Explain.

12. Why does Paul exhort Christians not to remain spiritual children in Ephesians 4:14?

13. To what is the understanding of spiritual children limited?

14. How does a young man overcome Satan?

15. What is the potential problem a spiritual young man faces?

16. How do you know if you are a spiritual young man?

17. Is the devil usually responsible when we sin? Explain. How does Satan tempt us to sin?

18. Where do Satan and his forces concentrate their energies? Support your answer with Scripture.

19. Once a mature Christian has already overcome the world and Satan, what is the only enemy left to conquer? When will it be fully overcome?

20. Describe the characteristics of a spiritual father.

21. What two things is spiritual growth the result of?

22. You grow when you walk in the Spirit, _________ every known ________ and __________ every known _________ .

Pondering the Principles

1. Read Psalm 86. Memorize verse 5. Praise the Lord for His great mercy that He has personally extended towards you.

2. What is your primary concern when you pray? Is it God's glory or your own desires? Read James 4:3. As you pray during the next week, be conscious of your motives. Aim at praying for things that are consistent with what you understand God's will to be. When we pray according to God's will, what confidence can we have, according to 1 John 5:14-15?

3. Consider Paul's statement to the Corinthians in his first letter to them: "I have fed you with milk, and not with solid food; for to this time ye were not able to bear it" (3:2). Are you sensitive to the unique backgrounds, personalities, and maturity of Christians you help to nourish spiritually? Are you demanding too much from them for their level of spiritual maturity? Should you be demanding more? Study various discipleship materials that are available from Christian bookstores and ministries. Be familiar with them so that you can give instruction that will edify believers at their particular stage of growth.

4. Spiritual growth is not easily acquired. The enemies we face (Satan, the world, and the flesh) make growing to be more like Christ a struggle. Spiritual growth requires determination and consistency. Are those two factors present in your life? Do you desire to have the deep personal knowledge of God that a spiritual father has? What are to doing to allow the Word of God to build you up? Faithfully commit yourself to obeying God's Word and He will take you where you are and lead you to higher levels of spiritual maturity for His glory.