Exploring 1 John: The Folly of Worldliness
1 John 2:17 - Walk towards the Light as this world as we know it is transient and foolish.
”The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.“
1 John 2:17 NASB1995
It is thought that John wrote this letter in about AD 90 in Ephesus. Almost 2000 years have passed and the world is still here and has not yet passed away. But his point is so valid, because each of us inhabit this world for a given time, then are quickly among the many who have passed away!
First, let’s do a word study on the word world: This comes from the Greek word κόσμος or kósmos with the following Biblical usages; Strong’s G2889 occurs 186 times in the New Testament:
an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government
ornament, decoration, adornment, i.e. the arrangement of the stars, 'the heavenly hosts', as the ornament of the heavens. 1 Pet. 3:3
the world, the universe
the circle of the earth, the earth
the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family
the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ
world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly
the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ
any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort
the Gentiles as contrasted to the Jews (Rom. 11:12 etc)
John is most likely looking at the ungodly multitude and the aggregate of things that are earthly. These are the lusts that seduce us away from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ.
We think we have all the time in the world, don’t we? I remember starting my job at an Aerospace company many years ago as a young, eager new engineer and reflecting that my retirement seemed to be eons in the future. But those 37 years went by in a flash and it looks like a short chapter in my life looking back. I read something from a famous writer one time (it might have been Stephen King, but I can’t find the quote) that at the end of it all when you are on deathbed, everything that you did seems like it was just as long as a nice summer afternoon. The memories fade, the pictures are thrown out by your heirs, and the trinkets are sold at a garage sale.
This world is indeed passing away for each one of us, running through our fingers like sand. I found this superb essay in Precept Austin; unfortunately I cannot find a link to who wrote it, but it’s worth sharing:
Walking along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico early one morning, I came upon quite an elaborate castle of sand. Evidently some youngster the day before had spent hours scooping out the "moats," heaping up the mounds of earth, forming the castle walls, and placing many beautiful shells on them as an added embellishment. How proud he must have been of his work. I can just imagine hearing him call out, "Mommy, Daddy, look at what I made!" and then how his face must have beamed as he received their enthusiastic praise.
As I came along at sunrise, however, the tide was coming in, and with it the continual action of the breakers. They seemed to move in a little closer with each succeeding crash. As I stopped to examine this child's castle of sand, a huge wave broke at my feet, disintegrating a portion of it. Then came another wave, and yet another, adding to its ruin. Returning some time later I found the castle was completely destroyed. It made me think of the "castles of sand" which men and women erect in real life. They spend not just a few hours, but precious years toiling and laboring, thinking they are really accomplishing some-thing. But then comes the night, and after the "builders" them-selves are gone, the tides of time swirl in and soon their cherished "castles" disappear, and they and their works are both forgotten.
There is only one way to build a life that counts, and a "work" that endures. It is to found it upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and to do so with eternity's values in view. To rear and educate your children to succeed in this life is fine, but what are you doing to help them prepare for that which is to come? To be successful in business and receive the plaudits of men may give temporary pleasure and satisfaction, but what are you doing for eternity? What are you building: a "castle of sand," or a work that abides? It was Daniel who said, "… they that turn many to righteousness, [shall shine] as the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3).
The world will pass away and we will pass away, but those of us that do God’s will shall live forever! We will see the light on the path towards His glory and move towards it, shedding more and more of the burdens of this troubling, ego-centric and shallow existence. Precept Austin has another great essay on this from J. C. Ryle, the renowned Anglican bishop:
What shall I say of the things of this world, which people appear to think so valuable—money, houses, land, clothes, fine food and drink, learning, honors, titles, pleasures, amusements, and the like? I say that they are all really worthless!
What I mean is this, that if you suppose they are in themselves able to make you really happy—you are woefully deceived! If any person could have just as much as he wished of every earthly good thing—he would still find in a very short time that he was not one whit happier than before!
I dare say you think I am mistaken—but let me tell you that many a rich man has tried the experiment, and can bear witness that the case is so! Many a one could tell you that he seeks out everything which money can purchase, he passes his life in a constant round of amusement and excitement, going from one pleasure to another. And yet he must confess that happiness and peace of mind have been like a shadow—always before his eyes but never within his grasp!
I say that all the things of the world are perishable! Surely, dear friends, this cannot require any evidence. You must have seen with your own eyes that none of the things I have mentioned are sure, lasting, permanent, incorruptible, and to be depended on!
Money and property may be lost! Health may fail! Friends may be deceitful! And unless we can make a covenant with death and hell, we ourselves may suddenly be cut off in the midst of our days—and hurried to our final judgment!
"Why waste your money on what really isn't food? Why work hard for something that doesn't satisfy?" Isaiah 55:2.
Is that assurance of eternal life in your grasp by doing His will or are you grasping for things that perish? Enduring Word says this about the things we are in contact with now that are eternal:
We are in regular contact with three eternal things: the Holy Spirit of God, the people around you, and the eternal words recorded in the book you hold. Time, attention, and expense put into those things pays eternal rewards.
My next devotional examines 1 John 2:18-19 - The dangers of false religion.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - Please guide me into serving You and doing Your will. I want the things of eternal life, not the pleasures and things of this life that are transient and meaningless. Amen.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
The Blue Letter Bible was accessed on 4/18/2024 to review the lexicon for world.
Precept Austin was accessed on 4/18/2024 to review the commentaries for 1 John 2:17.
Enduring Word commentary by David Guzik is used with written permission.
Very well written, Barb one thing as a blessing from being unemployed. I have had to really look at what truly matters. There is so much cleaning of house and soul going on