All that is in the world

'All that is in the world' this phrase is found in the 1st Epistle of John in chapter 2. Let's look at the phrase in its setting.

1 John 2:15-17:

"(15) 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.

(16) 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.
(17) And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

The apostle John gives us an interesting view of the Father's thoughts of the world system. "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."  John enumerates three things that are not of the Father:

1. The lust of the flesh

2. The lust of the eyes

3. The pride of life.

We can trace the origins of this lust right back to the Garden of Eden; to Adam and Eve. When the serpent beguiled Eve these three lusts became evident.

Genesis 3:6:

"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate."

What is lust? It is a strong desire, or, longing for something that is forbidden. Another way of putting it, it is to covet something that is not yours by right.

The lust of the flesh  

"...when the woman saw that the tree was good for food" Eve knew that to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was forbidden. Genesis 2:16-17:

"(16) And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;

(17) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

The lust of the eyes

"...that it was pleasant to the eyes..." The tree looked lovely and the fruit looked delicious. It certainly appealed to her.

The pride of life

"...a tree desirable to make one wise..."  The tree certainly had a lot going for it in Eve's eyes. It was good for food, it looked lovely and by eating the fruit she would become wiser.

With no thoughts of the consequences of her action, "...she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate." They had broken God's commandment! They had sinned against God! They now had sinful natures (which have been passed down to all human beings, except Jesus Christ of Nazareth).

Eve could have stopped herself. She knew what God's commandment was in regard to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. However, she listened to the voice of Satan (using the serpent) and she lusted after the fruit of the tree.

Let's look at James 1:13-15:

"(13) Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

(14) But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

(15) Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."

There it is in James' explanation. The process that Eve went through is clearly laid out. Eve was tempted and her desire overrode her common sense. She put her desire into action and ate the forbidden fruit. Her desire gave birth to sin and the end result was that she eventually died as a result of her sin. Adam suffered the same result for he also ate of the forbidden fruit.

The world system is based on self-gratification. It is especially so in our day and age. Today is the day of instant gratification. There is no place for the true and living God in people's lives. It is all about 'me'. All that is in the world, the world system, is designed to keep a person from knowing the true and living God. Man's wisdom will not lead you to God!

Romans 1:18-22:

"(18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

(19) because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

(20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

(21) because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

(22) Professing to be wise, they became fools"

I repeat, "Man's wisdom will not lead you to God."

Let's look again at 1 John 16-17:

(16) 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.
(17) And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

This world as we know it will pass away and with it all the sinful lusts and desires of mankind. "...but he who does the will of God abides forever."  As believers in Christ we often wonder at the iniquity in the world. Perhaps there are times when you wonder, "Is it worth being a Christian when the ungodly seem to prosper all around you?

An Old Testament believer named Asaph had similar thoughts. Let's have look at his words in Psalm 73.

Psalms 73:1-9:

"(1) A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart.

(2) But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.

(3) For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
(4) For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm.
(5)They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men.
(6)Therefore pride serves as their necklace; violence covers them like a garment.
(7)Their eyes bulge with abundance; they have more than heart could wish.
(8)They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; they speak loftily.
(9)They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth."

We could transpose this scene into our modern age. The wicked and ungodly seem to prosper on every hand. Asaph, however, is enlightened when he goes into the Sanctuary of God.

Psalms 73:16-19:

"(16) When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me--
(17) until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.

(18) Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.

(19) Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors."

When we look at things from God's perspective we gain enlightenment and understanding. We are able to contemplate matters from God's viewpoint and the true state of the ungodly becomes apparent. Asaph realises his foolishness; his behaviour and demeanour changes to an attitude of confidence and assurance.

Psalms 73:22-26:

"(22) I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.

(23) Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.
(24) You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
(25) Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
(26) My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

If we truly want to understand why evil flourishes in our world; we need to realise that we all have freedom of choice. We choose whether to follow the ungodly or whether we choose to follow the people of God. Asaph chose wisely, may we do likewise. Let's finish with a benediction from Jude.

Jude 1:24-25:

"(24) Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
(25) to God our Saviour, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

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