Voddie Baucham: Do Not Love the World
Voddie Baucham: Do Not Love the World
Do Not Love the World | A Biblical Perspective
Good morning! It is a joy to be back at Ligonier. It has been far too long. If you have your Bible, please turn to 1 John 2. This passage presents a thought-provoking and, in many ways, controversial message—one that is particularly relevant for our time. Let’s explore why.
A Call to Reject Worldly Desires
Let’s begin by reading 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 everything in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires are passing away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
At first glance, this passage might seem to contradict other biblical teachings on love. After all, as Christians, we are called to love unconditionally. Scripture repeatedly commands us to love:
- We love because God is love (1 John 4:8).
- We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
- We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).
- We are to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31).
- Even our enemies should be objects of our love (Matthew 5:44).
Love is central to our identity as Christians. Jesus Himself said that the world would recognize His disciples by their love for one another (John 13:35). The Apostle Paul reinforced this idea in Romans 13:8-10:
“Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not covet,’ and any other commandment, are summed up in this statement: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Understanding “The World” in Scripture
This passage in 1 John 2 may also seem to challenge another well-known verse:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
How, then, do we reconcile this? Why does Scripture command us not to love “the world”?
The key lies in understanding the different meanings of the word “world” in biblical texts—especially in John’s writings.
The “world” as God’s creation – In some contexts, “world” (Greek: kosmos) refers to all of creation—the heavens, the earth, and everything in them (John 1, John 3, John 4, John 6, John 7, John 8). This verse is not telling us to reject or despise God’s creation.
The “world” as humanity – Sometimes, “world” refers to the people who inhabit the earth. In this sense, God does call us to love the world, just as He loved humanity enough to send His Son for our salvation.
The “world” as a system opposed to God – In 1 John 2:15, the term refers to the sinful, fallen system that stands in opposition to God’s righteousness. This world is characterized by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—values that draw people away from God. This is the world we are commanded not to love.
When Love Becomes Sinful
This is a crucial message for today. We live in a culture that promotes a “love is love” ideology, where any and all expressions of love are considered good. Society tells us that love justifies everything—that no one can be against love.
But Scripture teaches that not all love is righteous. Love can be sinful when:
- It is directed toward the wrong object – When we set our affections on worldly pleasures, we prioritize temporary desires over eternal truth.
- It contradicts God’s commandments – True love never contradicts God’s moral standards.
- It becomes an idol – When love for a person, lifestyle, or achievement takes the place of God in our hearts, it becomes idolatry.
This is not just a theological discussion—it is a real-world issue that affects how we live out our faith.
Conclusion: Love God, Not the World
As followers of Christ, our love must be directed toward God and His truth. While we are called to love people, we must never embrace the sinful values of the world. Instead, we are to pursue holiness, righteousness, and obedience to God’s will.
The world and its desires are temporary, but whoever does the will of God will live forever (1 John 2:17).
May we choose to love as God commands, keeping our hearts set on Him and not the fleeting desires of this world.
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