All This Is In The World-Part 3

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world (1 John 2:17)

We have already looked at what is in the world based on 1 John 2:16. We discussed the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, now we will take a look at what is the pride of life.

The Greek word for life, "bios," where we get biology from, can mean life, livelihood, property, and possessions. The pride of life is basically when we boast in what we have and what we have done. We boast in our riches and possessions more than what God has done for us.

Many think the Bible says that money is the root of all evil and that is not true. The Bible does say, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils" (1 Timothy 6:10). Loving money can produce wickedness that will cause us to lose sight of all God has given us and division among family and friends.

There is nothing wrong with having possessions. The problem comes when the possessions possess us which is the definition of materialism. There is nothing wrong with accomplishing much in this world. The problem comes when we boast of our accomplishments that screams, "I am awesome."

The Bible does say that we should not make such a great boast of our possessions, accomplishments, nor riches. The Bible says:

“Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

We are to boast about what the Lord has done. He has given us everything. We owe Him everything, He owes us nothing. In our salvation, we must boast in the Lord:

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).

God did not save us because we were loved by all. God did not save us because of our social stature, wealth or lack thereof, or even how wise we are. He saved us because He loves us in spite of ourselves.

1 John 2:17 says, "And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." We see those desires wrapped up in there categories in 1 John 2:16. The things in this world is temporary and does not last. When we become a new creation in Christ, our desires become new. We love what God loves and hate what he hates. We may stumble in this life, but we have the promise of forgiveness.

We must turn away from all that is in the world to run after the holiness of God not to get into heaven, we already have that in Christ, but to live a life that is set apart so those who don't know God can come to faith in Him through Christ.