First Things First – Deep Dive Week 3: “God is Love”
1 John 2:15-17 says: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 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. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
These verses challenge us to examine our hearts and see what we truly love and value. Do we love God more than anything else, or do we love the things of this world that are temporary and unsatisfying? Do we seek to please God with our choices, or do we follow our own desires and impulses?
To apply these verses to our lives, we need to be honest with ourselves and ask God to show us where we are compromising with the world. We need to repent of any sin that is hindering our relationship with God and seek His forgiveness and grace. We need to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2), and store up treasures in heaven, not on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). We need to remember that this world is not our home, but we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20), and we are called to live as strangers and pilgrims here (1 Peter 2:11).
By doing these things, we can show our love for God and resist the temptations of the world. We can also experience the joy and peace that come from doing His will and living for His glory.
Always improve the present moment.
~Corbin Riley