Having looked at the first two phrases characteristic of the world system in yesterday’s study, today we continue with the third phrase.
Finally, worldliness is here characterized as “the pride of life.” The unique quality of this phrase lies, not so much in keeping up with the Joneses as exceeding them. This characteristic, while the hardest of the three to define, is probably also the most subtle; for it is easy to see how quickly a perfectly laudable ambition may slide over into pride that glories not so much in doing well as in being better than one’s fellows. An example is that of the student who tries desperately to be the best in his class. This can be done in a proper way. If he has been given the talent by God and applies the talent in order that God might be honored by his achievement or better served by it, his ambition is good. On the other hand, if he finds himself thinking that he is rather superior and therefore entitled to an extra measure of deference or respect, then his ambition is at base satanic, for it arises from him who is the prince of this world and of this world’s godless system. The same kind of satanic ambition can affect men in business, wives in the home, or ministers in the pulpit. Indeed, Paul even warned us that some of Satan’s tools would wear doctoral robes and teach theology (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).
The second reason why the Christian is not to love the world is the one which closes the passage. It is that all that is in the world is transitory and therefore headed for destruction. The world is passing away, John states. So are its values and those who are characterized by its values. How foolish, then, to pin one’s hopes on the world system, however attractive it may appear or however rewarding.
But does nothing at all abide? Yes, says John. The one who does God’s will abides forever. The object of his love, even the Father, abides forever. His love itself, having its source in God, abides forever. His works, being an aspect of the work of God, abide forever, for he is the possessor of eternal life and heir to all God’s riches in Christ Jesus. The conclusion is that Christians should therefore love God and serve Him fervently.
Do we? Then we must turn from all that would keep us from such love and service. When Jesus called men to be His disciples, He challenged them with the words, “Follow me.” This meant that they had to leave their nets or money tables or whatever else had been occupying their attention and time up to that moment. Similarly, when we are called to embrace the truth of the Gospel, we must reject error. When we are called to righteousness, we must turn from unrighteousness. When we are called to love God, we must turn from all lesser loves and loyalties. To fail to do this does not mean that we thereby lose our relationship to God, but it does mean that we are unfaithful to Him and disgrace our calling. It is like a marriage. Adultery does not change the legal status of the marriage, but it destroys the fellowship and is dishonorable. As Christians we are married to Christ. Therefore, we must not dishonor that relationship even by flirting with the world.