Is 1 John 2:15-17 Focused on This Life or the Afterlife?
These verses apply to the present world system of ungodly attitudes and practices that our Creator finds offensive. Jesus said that his followers would have to live in this world but that they would not be a part of it. In other words, true Christians stand out as being different from the rest of human society by their moral values, and he said the world would hate them because of it. World society in general would be irritated and annoyed, even angered by these true Christians.
Further Context
ldquo;I am no longer in the world but they are in the world and I am coming to you. Holy Father, watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them, I used to watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me, and I have protected them, and not one of them is destroyed except the son of destruction, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you and I am saying these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given your word to them, but the world has hated them because they are no part of the world just as I am no part of the world.rdquo; (John 17:11-14)
Understanding the Context of 1 John 2:15-16
ldquo;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. 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.rdquo; (1 John 2:15-16)
In answering your question, first, consider some things the Bible has to say about the world in other passages:
ldquo;But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.rdquo; (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)
James 4:4: ldquo;Adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."rdquo;
The world is not speaking of people per se. It is speaking of the world's system or framework. Satan, often referred to as the "god of this world," is the force behind such values, beliefs, philosophies, and pursuits that are contrary to God's will.
Why would one be proud of the fact that they are LGBT ? This pride reflects worldly values that go against the kind of humility and selflessness that the Bible upholds. Proverbs also addresses this issue:
ldquo;Six things doth the LORD hate, yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, sayings of falsehood, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and him that soweth discord among brethrenrdquo; (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Dividing One's Loyalty: This Life or the Afterlife?
What is clear from the scriptures is that God and the world's values are in opposition. We cannot serve two masters. Love of the world is ultimately a love of sin, which turns us away from God and his righteousness.rdquo;
ldquo;All that is of the world pertains to this life, thus it pertains to the flesh, or in scriptural terms, the rdquo;carnalrdquo;rdquo;; (Romans 8:5-8)
In Romans, the apostle Paul further distinguishes between the flesh and the Spirit, suggesting that living according to the flesh leads to death, while living according to the Spirit leads to life and peace. When we align ourselves with worldly values, we do so at the expense of God's will, which ultimately affects our eternal destiny.
Ultimately, a decision must be made: Will I love the world, or will I love God? Because you cannot do both at the same time.