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And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course[a] of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b] 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:1-10
Beloved, who can even begin to comprehend the ETERNAL agape love of the Father towards us, when we were ETERNALLY dead in our trespasses and sins, under the demonic tyranny of Satan and sin, and prisoners in his ETERNAL death concentration camp! Beloved, may these powerful images convey to you what took place in one moment when, by faith in the ETERNAL RIGHTEOUS Character of Almighty God, you trusted Jesus Christ as your ETERNAL Savior! May we serve Him faithfully in light of His wondrous ETERNAL agape love towards us, till He comes!
The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Maranatha!
David
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Beloved, 1 John 2:15-17 is one of the most misunderstood bible passages in the Holy Scriptures because the word " love " is often sought to be understood in the English and not the Greek. When we understand the Greek use of this word, it unlocks the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and truly sets us free - John 8:32!
15 Do not agape love the world or the things in the world. If anyone agape loves the world, the agape love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life[a]—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides FOREVER. - 1 John 2:15-17
We Are At War!
A Brief Bible Study — 1 John 2:15–17
Theme: The agape love of the fallen world versus the ETERNAL agape love of Almighty God.
Central Truth: The great spiritual conflict is not simply between agape love and hate, but between two opposing objects of agape love: the fallen world and that of Almighty God. One is governed by sinful desires, fallen subjective reasoning, and self-gratification; the other by biblical objective reasoning and faith in Almighty God's ETERNAL RIGHTEOUSNESS, TRUTH, and Character in Jesus Christ.
Greek: ἀγάπη (agapē) — Love
Greek verb: ἀγαπάω (agapaō) — To love
In 1 John 2:15, John uses the verb agapaō both for loving the world and for the Father's love. This reveals an important truth: the Greek word itself does not automatically mean holy, righteous, or unconditional love. Its moral character depends on the object and nature of that love.
John 3:16 — God loved the world and gave His Son.
John 3:19 — Men loved darkness rather than light.
1 John 2:15 — Do not love the world or the things in the world.
1 John 4:10 — God's love is revealed through Christ's sacrifice for sin.
Lesson: The question is not merely, "Do I love?" but "What do I love, and is my love governed by God's righteousness?"
1 John 2:15–16
John identifies three characteristics of the fallen world's desires:
The World's Desires | Biblical meaning |
|---|---|
Desire of the flesh | Seeking satisfaction apart from Almighty God's will |
Desire of the eyes | Coveting what the world offers |
Pride of life | Self-exaltation and independence from Almighty God |
Supporting Scriptures:
Genesis 3:6 — Eve saw that the forbidden fruit was desirable.
John 3:19–20 — Humanity's agape love for darkness.
2 Timothy 3:2–4 — Lovers of self, money, and pleasure rather than God.
James 4:4 — Friendship with the fallen world is enmity (hostility) with God.
Lesson: Fallen humanity can love deeply and passionately, yet direct that agape love toward things contrary to Almighty God's ETERNAL RIGHTEOUSNESS.
1 John 4:7–12
Almighty God's agape love is not merely affection. It perfectly aligns with His ETERNAL, HOLY, and RIGHTEOUS Character and Nature.
Romans 5:8 — Christ died for us while we were sinners.
1 Corinthians 13:6 — Agape love rejoices with the truth, not wrongdoing.
Galatians 6:1 — Agape love seeks the restoration of the fallen.
Ephesians 4:15 — We are to speak the truth in agape love.
1 John 4:9–10 — Almighty God's ETERNAL agape love is revealed through His Son and His propitiatory sacrifice.
Lesson: God's agapē love seeks our eternal good, not merely our temporary happiness. His love never compromises His righteousness.
Galatians 5:16–17
The believer experiences a real conflict between the desires of the flesh and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 7:22–23 — The inward struggle with sin.
Romans 12:2 — Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Colossians 3:1–4 — Set your mind on things above.
1 John 2:17 — The world passes away, but whoever does God's will abides forever.
Lesson: We do not overcome worldly desires simply by trying harder. We walk by the Spirit, abide in Christ, and allow God's eternal truth to govern our hearts.
Agape Love directed toward the fallen world | Agape Love directed toward God |
|---|---|
Self-gratification | God's ETERNAL glory |
Darkness and deception | Light and truth |
Pride and independence | Humility and dependence |
Temporary satisfaction | ETERNAL treasure |
The world is passing away | Almighty God's will endures FOREVER |
Important distinction: ETERNAL life is received through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned by loving God sufficiently. The believer's agape love and obedience are the fruit of that relationship, not the purchase price of salvation (Ephesians 2:8–10).
What Almighty God's ETERNAL Agape Love Did for Us!
Why does John use the same Greek verb for loving the world and the Father's agape love?
How can something we agape love become spiritually destructive?
What are the three desires John identifies in verse 16?
How does Almighty God's agape love differ from the world's self-centered agape love?
Why must agapē love always be guided by ETERNAL TRUTH and RIGHTEOUSNESS?
How does the Holy Spirit help believers overcome worldly desires?
What does it mean to live for what is ETERNAL rather than what is passing away and dying?
Closing Thought — 1 John 2:17 (ESV)
“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides FOREVER.”
The great question for every believer is: Is my agape love being directed by the passing desires of this demonic and fallen world, or by the ETERNAL RIGHTEOUSNESS of Jesus Christ?
The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Maranatha!
David
A Brief Biblical Study — How We See Others Through the Eyes of Love
Central Truth: How we view others reveals what governs our hearts. The fallen world sees through self-centered desires; natural affection sees through personal relationships and the limitations of this fallen world and time; but Almighty God's agapē love teaches us to see others in light of His ETERNAL truth, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and one's ETERNAL need for Christ.
Key Scripture: 1 John 2:15–17
The world's eyes are governed by fallen demonic influence, the fallen nature, personal desires, pride, and temporary satisfaction - Eph. 2:1-3.
1 John 2:16 — The desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life.
John 3:19–20 — Men agape loved darkness rather than light because their works were evil.
2 Timothy 3:2–4 — Lovers of self, money, and pleasure rather than lovers of God.
Proverbs 14:12 — A way may seem right to man, but its end is death.
What these eyes see: What can I gain? What makes me happy? What satisfies my desires?
Lesson: The world's eyes seek temporary self-gratification rather than God's ETERNAL RIGHTEOUSNESS in Spirit and Truth.
Greek: φιλέω (phileō) — To love, cherish, or have affection for someone.
Key Scripture: John 21:15–17
Phileō describes personal affection, friendship, and attachment. It is not inherently sinful, but seeks what is best naturally in light of temporal dwelling in this fallen world; Scripture even uses it to describe the Father's love for the Son, but this word follows agape love in its affection (John 5:20).
John 11:3, 36 — Jesus' affection for Lazarus.
John 16:27 — The Father's affection for those who love Christ.
Romans 12:10 — Brotherly affection among believers.
Proverbs 27:6 — A faithful friend speaks truth even when it hurts.
What these eyes see: I care about you. You are precious to me. I enjoy our relationship; I personally want what is best for you in time and in this fallen world.
Lesson: Natural affection is a wonderful gift, but when governed by personal preferences rather than Almighty God's truth and word, it can become selective and war with and compromise Almighty God's ETERNAL RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Greek: ἀγάπη (agapē) — Love, especially as revealed in Almighty God's ETERNAL RIGHTEOUS character and demonstrated through Christ.
Key Scripture: 1 John 4:7–12
Almighty God's agapē love is perfectly demonstrated in Jesus Christ. It seeks the true and ETERNAL good of others according to God's righteousness.
John 3:16 — Almighty God's agape love provided His Son for the world.
Romans 5:8 — Christ died for us while we were sinners.
1 Corinthians 13:6 — agape love rejoices with the truth, not wrongdoing.
Ephesians 4:15 — Speaking the truth in agape love.
Galatians 6:1 — Restoring someone caught in transgression with gentleness.
1 John 4:11 — Because Almighty God agape loved us, we ought to agape love one another.
What these eyes see: How can I seek God's RIGHTEOUSNESS and ETERNAL best for this person, now and for ETERNITY, even when it requires personal sacrifice?
Lesson: Agapē love does not merely seek another person's happiness but seeks their true ETERNAL good in light of Almighty God's ETERNAL holiness, truth, and the ETERNAL saving work of Christ.
The World's Eyes | Phileō Eyes | Agapē Eyes |
|---|---|---|
Self-centered desire | Personal affection | Christlike love |
What benefits me? | Whom do I cherish? | What is truly good for them? |
Temporary satisfaction | Relational closeness | Eternal perspective |
Can reject God's truth | Can be guided by truth | Rejoices in God's truth |
Fallen desires | Natural affection | Love shaped by God's character |
These are three teaching perspectives, not three mutually exclusive Greek categories. Biblical agapē and phileō can overlap.
Jesus demonstrated perfect agape love when He encountered the woman at the well (John 4), the man at Bethesda (John 5), and even those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34).
He saw beyond their outward circumstances to their deepest spiritual needs. His agape love never compromised truth, but neither did His RIGHTEOUSNESS eliminate compassion.
Jesus did not merely seek to make people comfortable in their condition. He came to save sinners and restore them to fellowship with God.
How Do I Agape Love Others - Saved and Lost
What governs the way the fallen world sees people?
What is the difference between natural affection and Christlike agape love?
Can we genuinely care about someone while compromising Almighty God's unchangeable truth?
Why does agapē love rejoice in RIGHTEOUSNESS rather than wrongdoing?
How did Jesus demonstrate perfect agape love toward sinners?
How can we agape love someone who rejects Almighty God's Word?
How can our eyes increasingly reflect the agape love of Christ?
Closing Thought — 1 John 2:10 (ESV)
“Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.”
The world's eyes ask, “What do I want?” Phileō eyes ask, “Whom do I cherish?” Agapē eyes ask, “What does Almighty God's ETERNAL truth and RIGHTEOUSNESS seek for this person?”
When we walk in Christ's light, our affections can be shaped by His ETERNAL truth, and our agape love can increasingly reflect His ETERNAL PERFECT RIGHTEOUS character!
Dear precious Lord, help us to truly seek your agape love for all till you come!
The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Maranatha!
David
Beloved, when we see through the eyes of Almighty God's ETERNAL agape love, we will NEVER be the same and will be totally free! John 8:32!
The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Maranatha!
David
Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because[a] the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him[b] there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:7-11
Theme: Walking in the Light Means Walking in God's Agapē Love - John 3:21
Central Truth: God's agapē love is not merely an emotion or affection. It is a love that is always seeking what is true and righteous toward a fellow brother or sister in Christ or a lost soul; this love is always seeking the restoration of others to righteousness. This love is revealed perfectly in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Leviticus 19:18 — God commanded His people to love their neighbors as themselves.
Deuteronomy 6:5 — Love the LORD with all your heart, soul, and might.
John 13:34 — Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another as He loved them.
Lesson: Almighty God's RIGHTEOUS standard of love has NEVER changed and will NEVER change. What is new is the perfect revelation of that love in Jesus Christ.
John 13:34–35 — Christ becomes the perfect example and measure of our love.
Romans 5:8 — God demonstrated His love through Christ's death for sinners.
John 1:4–5 — Jesus is the life and light of men.
Lesson: The darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. Christ's love is now being demonstrated through those who belong to Him.
Related verb: ἀγαπάω (agapaō) — to love
In this passage, John uses forms of the verb agapaō in verses 10 and 11.
Biblical application: Agapē is a love rooted in Almighty God's RIGHTEOUS character, always seeking the true good of another in RIGHTEOUSNESS, including their restoration to RIGHTEOUSNESS - 2 Cor. 5:17-21.
1 John 4:9–10 — Almighty God's agape love is demonstrated in sending His Son.
1 Corinthians 13:4–6 — Agape love does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.
Ephesians 4:15 — Speaking the truth in agape love.
Lesson: Biblical agape love does not compromise RIGHTEOUSNESS to please others. It only EVER seeks their ETERNAL good according to Almighty God's ETERNALLY established truth.
1 John 1:5 — Almighty God is light, and in Him is no darkness.
John 15:12 — Agape love one another as Christ has agape loved us.
1 John 3:14 — Agape love for the brethren is proof and evidence of God’s regenerated and spiritual life in a believer.
Lesson: Our agape love for fellow believers is the visible evidence of our fellowship with God in Spirit and Truth. John exposes the contradiction of claiming to walk in the light while hating a brother.
1 John 3:15 — Hatred is compared to murder in its moral character.
John 3:19–20 — Men loved darkness rather than light because their works were evil.
John 8:12 — Whoever follows Christ will not walk in darkness.
Lesson: Hatred blinds spiritual understanding and directs our steps away from God's truth. A person cannot justify hatred while claiming to reflect Christ's agape love and RIGHTEOUS character.
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