Jesus wants us to spread His gospel (Matthew 28:18-20), be a good Christian influence (Matthew 5:13), and also be a good Christian example (Matthew 5:14-16) while we are in this world. In 1 John 2:15, the apostle John says however, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (ESV). That seems to be a contradiction. How can we spread the love of Jesus throughout the world with His message, our influence, and example, if we are not to love the world?
God indeed loves the world as stated in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (NKJV). So if we are to “not to love the world” how are we to spread the loving message of the gospel?
We must know that it is not humans, the pinnacle of God’s creation (Genesis 1:27), we are to hate but what humans do which God considers sin. We are to hate the evil actions of people in the world and love the people themselves. Simply, love the sinner not the sin!
When you become a Christian, you are to shun the pleasures of the things of the world and avoid the temptations given by them. John continues in verse 16 of 1 John 2: “ For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world” (NKJV). The SAME temptations that Adam and Eve had in the beginning of the world are still here today (Genesis 3)! Eve saw the fruit of the tree she was forbidden to eat of and she saw that it was good for food (lust of the flesh), pleasant to look at (lust of the eyes), and would make her wise (pride of life). She and Adam ate of it and were condemned for that act. Sin separates us from God: then and today! (Isaiah 59:2)
John continues: “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:17, NKJV).” God hates the sin but loves the sinner! “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8, NKJV).” In Isaiah 59:1, God declares that while sin separates us from Him, His hand is not too short to save those that desire to obey and be saved!
Before becoming a Christian, it was our habit to follow in its ways. Peter said, “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry (1 Peter 4:1–3, ESV)”.
But now, that we no longer follow those ways, the world will react, especially those that currently do those sinful things, in worldly peer pressure. Peter continues, “With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:4–5, ESV).” Those who were “friends” will now mock you as you start your new life as a Christian. That is how the world hates those like you as you try to be a gospel spreading and influencing Christian example.
While we are to work in the world for God as we obey the great commission, our promise and destination is heaven. Just be careful as you live here on earth, as its goal is to make you conform to its ways. Concerning love from God, we are equal with the rest of His human creation. Concerning the responsibilities as Christians, we are special not because of what we did or will do but because of what His Son did whom we follow: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9, ESV).”
Now, go out and be in the world but not of the world!
