Questions about 2 John: 15-17

[Twisted Hawk]

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.

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

I think this is the most overquoted scripture that I hear from people. I get real tired of people saying, "YOUR TOO FLESHY! YOUR GOING TO HELL FOR THAT!"

People use it to downplay every kind of entertainment source out there. They also use this to show the CCM is horrible music for christians to listen to.

So, what do you guys think that lust of the flesh means? From the looks of this quote, it would be a sin to wear a suit and tie in worship services, at it goes with lust of the eyes and pride of life. The person wearing the suit is making him look like a better person then the rest, and trying to show he is truly the only good christian. It also seems to prohibit sex, as it is indeed definately a lust of the flesh. But we know that's not true.

So, what do you think of these verses? What does it mean to love the things of the world? What's the fine line of enjoying something of the world and falling in love with it? What does fleshy stuff actually mean?

 

[Nick]

What I've always understood from scriptures like this, is that it's not a sin to get enjoyment out of things of this world, but we should remember that we don't belong here, and we are just passing through. We should store up treasures in Heaven, and get prepared for that.
That does not mean that we should secule ourselves from this world. But we need to keep God and our Heavenly goals at #1.

We are in the world, but not of the world.

 

[justvisiting]

Sounds like you're pretty upset about it. Maybe try loving the Lord your God with all your heart...and that will take care of everything.
I try not to tie myself in legalistic knots. Nothing wrong with enjoying life.
1Co 6:12 All things are lawful (because we are not under the law but grace) unto me, but all things are not expedient (profitable): all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1Co 6:13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
1Co 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
1Co 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
1Co 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
1Co 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
When you walk with the Lord...you don't sin that grace may abound. You do those things are pleasing to Him.
Psa 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
Psa 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Just make sure God comes first...and everything else falls into place. We don't need to...do this...don't do that ...ourselves into a corner.