SIN TRIOLOGY

Part 1

Pastor Maselo Mosomane

“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.” 1John 2:16

In trying to understand how the devil operates, let us look today at the above verse of scripture. John the Apostle is writing. He says we should not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. John contrasts the love of the Father with the love of the world. He says you can’t have them both. You can’t love God and the things that are in the world at the same time. Jesus said; “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” Matthew 6:24.

It is important that we understand that God has nothing against the things that are in the world. He created them, after all. Did you know that nothing is able to be good or bad on its own? We make it either good or bad. Television, computers and many other technological appliances can neither be good nor bad on their own. They are just equipments. It depends on how we use them. The way we use them will determine whether they are good or bad. One may use them for a good course while others, the opposite. You see? The problem is not necessarily with things. The problem is with us.

John influenced by the Holy Spirit writes; “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” 1John 2:15. The problem is not in things; the problem is in our love for things. Things will always be attractive. It is our reaction that counts. One may have things and maintain the right attitude and use ‘things’ to further a good course to build the nation. Another may have a wrong perception and use the same ‘things’ to destroy the nation.

It will also do us good to understand that when John wrote about the world he was in actual fact referring to the world system. “While the world’s philosophies and ideologies and much that it offers may appear attractive and appealing, that is deception. Its true and pervasive nature is evil, harmful, ruinous, and satanic. Its deadly theories are raised up against the knowledge of God and hold the souls of men captive” The Mc Arthur’s Study Bible.

The centre piece of John’s message is that we should have an upward kind of attitude as opposed to things that are in the world. Joyful or painful; helpful or harmful, it doesn’t matter. We should not see the things of the world as our answer. Of course they may help, but we are not to depend on them. God may use them to bless us; but He who gives bread to the eater and seed to the sower is not the field, but God.

The earth and its vast resources may be resourceful, but God is our source. Money is our resource, but God is our source. There is so much intelligence in the world. Science and Technology has advanced the way things are done; we cannot dispute. However; good as they are; helpful as they are, they are just but resources. God remains the source of life and all wisdom. There may be so much pleasure in the world; there may be so much help in the world, but we should not be carried away and build our lives on this kind of foundation. This kind of foundation is not strong enough; it cracks under weight.

May we stay sober and guard against the influence of the world not to control our thinking and the way we see things. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2

In conclusion; nothing in this world, nothing; no matter how helpful it may be should take the place of Jesus. No matter how good it may be for we understand from the word of God that; “... the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” 12:17John.