HOW TO ENJOY LIFE WITHOUT LOVING THE WORLD
THE DEVIL PERVERTS AND DECEIVES
This is not what John means. When John uses the word “world” he is talking about the world system as corrupted by sin. He is talking about the devil’s abuse of all the good things God created for us. Unfortunately, because of the fall of man Satan became the “God of this world”. (2Cor. 4:4) He has taken the good things given by God and has perverted them and he has devised counterfeits to deceive, seduce, and ensnare mankind. If we fall prey to Satan’s lies and deception we will misuse what God has meant for our good.
GOD’S CREATION IS GOOD
“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!” (Genesis 1:31) God’s creation is good in fact God said, “it was VERY good.” Yes, sin has infected what God has declared good, but that does not mean God’s creation is now bad. There is nothing evil about the blue sky, beautiful flowers, the mountains and beaches, or Godly relationships, hobbies, and things. There are many passages throughout the New and Old Testament that celebrate God’s creation and its abundance and goodness. The Bible tells us God takes pleasure in his creation.
GOD WANTS YOU TO ENJOY LIFE
God created the earth and everything in it for our pleasure. Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and life more abundantly.” (John 10:10) God wants us to enjoy all of the beauty and wonder that he made. He wants us to partake and see what great things he has given. God wants you to enjoy life! The million dollar question is, how do we reconcile these two opposing viewpoints – don’t love the world yet enjoy what God has given us?
WHO IS YOUR LORD?
The issue is who is your Lord? What is first in your life? Who or what sets on the throne of your life? If it is money, position, people, or stuff you are in idolatry. You are “worldly”. Being worldly is pursuing the stuff of this earth, bent on selfish gain, replacing God as Lord of one’s life.
Worldliness acts contrary to Christlike love, living in pride, anger, self-will, and a heart bent away from God. God has nothing against you have things, riches, enjoying life, – as long as He is the LORD of your life. LORD means to be master, ruler of your life. Here’s the thing too often we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, but we don’t keep Him on the throne of our life. The only way to truly enjoy life and not love the world is to keep Jesus as the ruler and master of your life.
SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Jesus gives us the secret to enjoying life without being worldly. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) Notice what happens if we will keep Jesus and His kingdom the top priority in our life. All the “things” of this world are ADDED to us, not taken away.
Sounds simple and easy, right? Not necessarily! Even though we love God, it is sometimes difficult to consistently put Him first. For most of us our job, family, ministry, and a host of other things usually take priority over Jesus and His kingdom. We have to consistently choose to keep Him first and reprioritize our life when things get out of order.
WE CAN LOVE GOD AND ENJOY LIFE
Just don’t let the things of the world become a priority. Don’t purse the things of the world – pursue God. Acknowledge God’s gifts for you and thank Him for them. Count your blessings! “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)
- Keep Jesus LORD – master and ruler of your heart – your motives and desires.
- Keep the things of the Kingdom first – always top priority in your life.
Can we truly enjoy life without loving the world? Absolutely yes! Be blessed and live a blessed life in Jesus.