I John 2:15-17 Don’t love this evil world or the things in it. If you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. This is all there is in the world: wanting to please our sinful selves, wanting the sinful things we see, and being too proud of what we have. But none of these comes from the Father. They come from the world. The world is passing away, and all the things that people want in the world are passing away. But whoever does what God wants will live forever.

The bible is pretty clear in this, that we are not to love this world or the things in it. Not the PEOPLE in it, the things in it. Lets be very clear in this, John, the one who walked with Jesus, heard his teaching and lay his head on his shoulder, he said in verse 15 that if you love the world, you don’t have the love of the Father in you. Then he describes what’s in the world: wanting to please ourselves, wanting the sinful things we see and being too proud of what we have. Well than! No wonder God led me to this verse this morning. It seems to be so prevalent in what we see this time of year, I want, I want, I want, I need, I need, I need. ‘Look what I have! I’m just going to do this for me, I can pay for it later.’ But John said that NONE of these things come from the Father but from the world. 

None of it lasts or brings lasting joy because only God brings peace and joy. The brief feeling of excitement leaves quickly when the first credit card bill comes in the mail, but we don’t want to think about that. Don’t go spoiling my Christmas, Sandy! Can’t you stop speaking the Word and just enjoy yourself this season. Well my friend, perhaps thats the main problem here, we’ve ignored the voice of God to satisfy our own wants all the while ignoring the blaring needs of those around us.

You can’t buy life. You can’t find happiness in a bottle of booze or pills or any gift in a store window. Only God can give life and the only way to get it is seeking to do His will which is found in His Word. “The world is passing away, and all the things that people want in the world are passing away. But whoever does what God wants will live forever.” The best gift we can give this Christmas is the gift of knowing God and having a passion for the things of God. 

Psalm 91:16 “With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”