We have affections, and what’s really important is to know that God created those affections. The problem comes when those affections are misplaced…when we fall in love with the wrong things. John is very clear in his instruction to the church regarding this matter,
Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. (1 John 2:15)
When our love is focused on the wrong things it shows that our heart is not in the right place. One of the major flaws of falling in love with the wrong things is that it is disappointing and temporary. Once the “love” has run its course we are left with feelings of betrayal and emptiness. (And sometimes a huge debt!)
Betrayal comes because of unfulfilled promises. What the world promises and then eventually delivers are different. The world promises us a beautiful portrait, but then it gives us an ugly picture. Now we are left holding that which we would never want to display in our lives.
Emptiness comes because of unmet expectations. It is very disappointing when something is built up as supremely wonderful; the bar of our expectations is raised; and then when what we experience just doesn’t meet that level of expectation. We now have a huge void in our lives.
John sums it up well for us,
The world is passing away…but the one who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:17)
I believe God’s will is that we need to love what God loves, and He tells us to love at least four things: 1) love God, 2) love God’s Church, 3) love God’s Word, and 4) love God’s children. If we spend our time loving what God loves then we will not have time to love what we shouldn’t, and God will never leave us feeling betrayed and empty.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. (1 John 2:15)
When our love is focused on the wrong things it shows that our heart is not in the right place. One of the major flaws of falling in love with the wrong things is that it is disappointing and temporary. Once the “love” has run its course we are left with feelings of betrayal and emptiness. (And sometimes a huge debt!)
Betrayal comes because of unfulfilled promises. What the world promises and then eventually delivers are different. The world promises us a beautiful portrait, but then it gives us an ugly picture. Now we are left holding that which we would never want to display in our lives.
Emptiness comes because of unmet expectations. It is very disappointing when something is built up as supremely wonderful; the bar of our expectations is raised; and then when what we experience just doesn’t meet that level of expectation. We now have a huge void in our lives.
John sums it up well for us,
The world is passing away…but the one who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:17)
I believe God’s will is that we need to love what God loves, and He tells us to love at least four things: 1) love God, 2) love God’s Church, 3) love God’s Word, and 4) love God’s children. If we spend our time loving what God loves then we will not have time to love what we shouldn’t, and God will never leave us feeling betrayed and empty.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
Comments (0)
Post a Comment