¹⁵ Do not love the world nor the things pertaining to the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that pertains to the world – an inordinate desire of the flesh, an inordinate desire of the eyes, and flaunting with regard to one’s manner of life is not from the Father but is from the world. ¹⁷ The world is passing away together with its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues forever (1Jn2:15-17)

This passage is liable to be understood in at least two aspects. Firstly, John is not saying it is wrong to find delight in what is pleasant and  desirable upon God’s earth. For example, the beauty of nature being God’s wondrous creation, the various gifts and talents that the Father of lights gives to men and women: music, poetry, art, artisanship  and the like. These are the evidence and outworking of a good, benevolent God towards beings made in His own image. As Paul preached to a pagan audience at  Lystra.  “(God) did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts14:17).

John further clarifies his meaning in verse 16 – he is not speaking of the good gifts  provided to mankind. Indeed, our planet is to be loved and cared for – those who most contribute to its ruin face serious consequences (Rev11:18). Rather John is referring to κόσμος, being the current world order and the traits and attributes pertaining to it. When we speak of someone as being  “a man or woman of the world”, we generally understand what is meant, and that is in line with that to which John cautions. More particularly, “an inordinate desire of the flesh, an inordinate desire of the eyes, and flaunting with regard to one’s manner of life”.

The latter is not speaking of wealth per se, but rather out attitude towards it. For many of the world’s inhabitants, gaining material riches is a prime motivation in life, but that is not to be the case for the Christian. In Jesus’ words, you either serve God or mammon. This, more than any moral or legal consideration, can be the most challenging aspect of discipleship, as the otherwise devout rich young ruler that Jesus encountered recognized and acknowledged  (Lk18:18-23). The “desires of the flesh” also of course relate to sexual fidelity – to one’s spouse if one has one or  maintaining undivided devotion to the Lord if one is single.

Materialism the problem, not what is material

The other way this passage might be misunderstood is to over-spiritualize what John is teaching. Again it relates to his reference to the “world” (κόσμος) as not so much referring to planet earth, concerning which the prophet Isaiah wrote “the whole earth is full of God’s glory” (Is6:3). The κόσμος on the other hand is currently under the influence of the devil – influence I say, not ultimate authority (Lk4:5-7 cf. Mt28:18).

God’s good earth also contains much that is material, but then so does the Christian’s destiny, starting with the constitution of our eternal being. That was illustrated by the resurrected Jesus, breakfasting with His disciples (Lk24:41-43) with wine to follow (Mt26:29). As for the apostle Paul – he was adamant that the Christian’s apotheosis is not the soul going to heaven at physical death (aka “sleep” 1Thes4:14). Rather, wrote he, “Not only (the rest of creation), but also we ourselves who have received the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, being the redemption of our body! (Rom8:23).

The supremacy of the age to come

Even at the physical level, the glories of the age to come shall surely surpass anything we can experience here and now in our aging, sin-prone bodies, especially for those who are to be corporately betrothed to the Lord of the Universe, even to share His throne (Rev3:21 &19.7). It is only Old Testament saints and those who have subsequently been faithful to the gospel calling who shall enjoy such privileges in the future, the greatest of which undoubtedly will be a close association with the Lord Jesus Christ. In the meantime Jesus and John in this passage make clear that those called out from the world to be saints are to not focus their efforts and priorities on acquiring wealth and societal prestige in the current age. For “κόσμος  is passing away together with its lusts; but the one who does the will of God shall continue forever” (v17).

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