1 John 2:12-17

In Chapter 2 of 1st John, John tells the Church that if they love the world, the love of the Father is not in them. Now historically, the Church has pushed back against worldliness by trying to create religious rules: Don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t chew – and don’t go with girls that do. The problem is, rules don’t work. We can’t keep them. That’s why God had to wrap Himself in flesh in the person of Jesus in order to come and keep them for us. When you begin to believe that your standing before God and your brothers in Christ is predicated upon your adherence to rules, two really bad things happen. First of all, you’re INSECURE towards yourself because you never think you’ve done enough – and secondly you’re JUDGMENTAL towards others, because you don’t think they have either. Get your Word on with us, where we push back against the love of the world, by simply replacing those affections with the superior treasure; the ultimate treasure – Jesus Christ Himself.