Love is the foundation of Christianity.  Everything that God has done for us regarding our redemption, has been motivated by the great love He has for us—a love that is undeserved.  In return, God demands that we love, not only Him, but one another as well.

1 John 4:7–8 (ESV)
⁷Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
⁸Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

This does not mean that we should love indiscriminately.  Paul admonished the saints at Philippi to have a knowledgeable love that is discerning (Philippians 1:9).  There are certain things that we should not love.  This week, let us look at some of those things.

The first thing we should determine not to fall in love with is the world.  Too many children of God fall into the trap of worldliness, causing them to leave the faith.  Demas, a former companion of Paul (Colossians 4:14), is an example of this.

2 Timothy 4:10 (ESV)
¹⁰For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

Does it surprise you that a former companion of Paul, one who saw firsthand the steadfastness of an apostle of Christ, was drawn back to the world?  We should never underestimate the alluring power of this world.  It appeals to the flesh.  Only those who are determined to walk after the Spirit of God can overcome its tenacity.  John warns us about falling in love with the world.

1 John 2:15 (ESV)
¹⁵Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

The world encompasses anything that is contrary to the will of God.  This is why John went on to write, “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (ver. 17).  Love for this world stops people from doing the will of God.  This is a problem since it is only those who do God’s will will be saved (Matthew 7:21).

It is the love of this world that causes so many in the body of Christ to mimic common practices in society, even if those practices are sinful.  Some in the church wear the garb of the ungodly just because it is a popular fashion in the world.  Some use corrupt language because that is the way the world talks.  If we allow the standard of this world to dictate how we behave, we love the world too much.  We must remember “that friendship with the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4), and, therefore, choose not to be like the world. 

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
²Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

To conform means to act in agreement with or to assimilate.  Do you want to be in agreement with this world or with God?  Your decision will be determined by who you love the most.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.