This past Sunday, Pastor Jason Parrish continued our Life in the Abbey series with a message titled Weighing the World, drawn from 1 John 2:15–17. This message explored what it means for a disciple of Jesus to live in the world without loving it—to hold affection and allegiance to God above all else.
The Weight of the World
John 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.” — 1 John 2:15
We began by reflecting on a scientific fact: the earth weighs approximately 13,170,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 pounds. Yet, as Pastor Jason reminded us, John wasn’t referring to the earth’s physical weight but its spiritual pull—the influence of worldliness on the human heart.
Two Cities: The Love of the World vs. The Love of God
Pastor Jason drew from Augustine’s City of God, written in A.D. 413 after the fall of Rome. Augustine contrasted two realms:
“Two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly by the love of self, even to the contempt of God; the heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self.”
This battle between the love of God and the love of the world still defines our discipleship today. The work of following Jesus is a continual reordering of our loves—a process of leading the heart out of allegiance to the world and into affection for God. As Daniel Akin writes, “Our allegiance must not be divided. Our affection must be focused and specific.”
Understanding “The World”
The Greek word for world is kosmos, which carries two meanings:
- The natural world that God created (John 3:16).
- The human system of rebellion against God (1 John 2:15).
David Jackman defines it this way:
“The world is an organized system of human civilization and activity opposed to God. It represents everything that prevents man from loving and obeying his Creator.”
Worldliness, then, isn’t about material things—it’s about misplaced love. The world “glitters and sparkles,” as Jackman says, but its light distracts us from the true Light of Christ.
Lessons from Abraham’s Faith
Hebrews 11:8–10 tells us that Abraham obeyed God and lived as a foreigner, “looking forward to the city whose architect and builder is God.” His example teaches us:
- Leaving worldliness behind requires faith and obedience.
- God’s ways may seem irrational to the world, but they lead to life.
- Even God’s promises remind us this world is not our home.
Jesus echoed this in John 14:1–4, promising that He is preparing a place for His followers. The disciple’s heart is always on pilgrimage—never fully at home in this world.
Divided Allegiance
John uses the verb agapaō (“to love”) both for loving God and for loving the world. It conveys total devotion. Divided affection isn’t possible—each demands complete loyalty.
“You cannot serve both God and money.” — Matthew 6:24
Paul, James, and Jesus all warn against loving the world:
- Galatians 1:10 — We can’t please both people and God.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 — Don’t set your hope on wealth, but on God.
- James 4:4 — Friendship with the world is hostility toward God.
As Daniel Akin reminds us, “The problem is not that God created the material things of the world; the problem is that people have made these things into idols.”
Three Truths About the World and Worldliness
1. What You Give Allegiance To Will Shape You
“You are slaves of the one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness.” — Romans 6:16
Whatever we serve forms us. Allegiance to the world reshapes us in its image; allegiance to Christ transforms us into His.
2. What You Give Affection To Will Define Your Decisions
Romans 1:21–32 shows that misplaced affection leads to disordered lives.
“Your affections are meant for something better than these transient and defiled things.” — Charles Spurgeon
3. What You Revere, You Will Resemble
“Those who make idols become like them.” — Psalm 115:8
Worship is not just belief—it is becoming.
“We all, with unveiled faces, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” — 2 Corinthians 3:18
When we fix our eyes on the Lord, we reflect His nature and find freedom from the world’s pull.
The Call of Discipleship
“A Christian who loves the world will never have peace or security because he has linked his life with that which is in a state of flux.” — Warren Wiersbe
To weigh the world is to discern where our loyalty lies. The disciple must continually evaluate whether their love is shaped by the temporary or the eternal.
Closing Thought
Discipleship reorders our loves. The world promises glory but offers emptiness; Christ calls for surrender but gives eternal life.
“The world and its desires are passing away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” — 1 John 2:17
✨ Reflection Question: What “weight” from the world is pulling your heart away from full devotion to God?
🙏 Prayer Prompt: Lord, teach me to love You above all else. Help me release what competes for my affection and find my peace in You alone.
