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What’s wrong with loving the world? (1 John 2:15) God loves the world (Jn 3:16). Why shouldn't we?

The Bible says that God loves the world (Joh 3:16).  He's our example (1 Peter 2:21).  So why shouldn't we love the world?


15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

d. 1 John 2:15 Or world, the Father’s love

1 John 2:15 - 17

ESV - 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 all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world.

Clarify Share Report Asked November 29 2020 My picture Jack Gutknecht Supporter

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Mini Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army
Although the same Greek word (anglicized as "kosmon") is used in both cited verses, the sense of the word is very different, as it also can be elsewhere in Scripture.

The Bible sometimes uses the term (as in John 3:16) in reference to the human inhabitants of the world (with no negative connotation associated with the term), to all of whom God offers salvation and eternal life through faith in Christ.

On other occasions (as in 1 John 2:15) when the term is used, it is referring to the corrupt world "system" that universally-sinful humans have established on this planet under the influence of Satan. This system is opposed to God, and treats a brief life on this planet as the be-all and end-all of existence. This disregards the eternal existence of humans, and encourages a selfish, strictly temporal outlook or orientation of looking out only for one's own material welfare, or of maximizing one's own pleasure, wealth, and possessions, regardless of the sinful actions that such a pursuit may entail, or the adverse consequences that it may have upon others or upon future generations. It is this latter outlook that Christians are to avoid or shun.

November 29 2020 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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