16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2
There is no contradiction or discrepancy here.
In the first case, the apostle John, the author of both passages, is telling us about the unparalleled love of God, the so loved factor, for the world. Here he is referring to the inhabitants of the world, those who dwell upon the earth, men, the human race.
Now it is true as many want to proclaim, God loves everybody. So much so that he offered up his only begotten Son to redeem all from their sin. Sin is the most pressing issue in the world today. It is not global warming. The only remedy for sin was the cross and the blood of Jesus that was shed there.
So God demonstrated his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).
Now we must respond to that love. There has to be a reciprocity. When my wife or daughter tell me they love me I respond with, I love you too. Sad is the man in love with a woman who does not love him in kind. As in the natural sense so in the spiritual sense. So much more at that level where someone has given his best for us. Those that God loves must respond with an I love you too. An I love you back Lord would be the proper response. That love you back is best expressed when you believe in his Son and accept him as your only Savior.
Otherwise, God is limited by man’s lack of response. Read the text again. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. God will love you all the way to hell. But he cannot and will not reward you with the gift of eternal life if you reject the gift of his Son.
So, you are part of the world that God loves. But if you do not believe in God’s Son all you have is love. You will not have eternal life. That is reserved for believers. So it would behoove you to believe today and enjoy the full benefits of Calvary.
Now there is another world. That is the one we are not to love. In the Greek, from whence we get our Bible translation, it is the same word as John 3:16. But in that multi-faceted language, and studied in its context that word in 1 John 2 means the following:
Worldly affairs; the aggregate of things earthly; the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, etc., which, although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ.
That world loves us, but we are not to love it back. See the next verse:
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
God so loved the world, but there is a world that is outside of his love and blessing. There are two worlds then. You are part of the world God loved. If you do not believe in his Son you remain in that other hostile world. If you believe in Jesus you will become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17) and will be taken out of the wicked world system and brought in to the kingdom of God’s dear Son.
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. Colossians 1.
If you claim to be a believer but are still enamored of that other world you need to start a move today. -PJF-
Purpose! Ministries
A Praying Church - A Healing Church - A Holy Spirit Church - A Preaching Church
Comments