TSP DAILY DEVOTIONAL
AT WHAT COST?
23rd July 2020
Dr. Phil Ransom-Bello
KEY SCRIPTURE/MEMORY VERSE: 1 John 2:15(NKJV)
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.
Looking at our text yesterday(1 John 2:15), scripture instructs us emphatically not to love the word. What does this mean?
Let me tell you what it means to love the world. We see it broken down in the next verse- verse 16;
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.
So this tells you that loving the word is actually called “Lust”. And here’s how to know what lust looks like.
Lust is a strong craving that is outside of God’s will.
Verse 16 highlights the ways lust presents- Lust of the eyes, Lust of the flesh and the Pride of life.
These things are not of the Father but are of the world!
So you’ve got to be careful.
To someone who is yielded to really producing the fruits of the gospel, the lust of the flesh will not be your conversation, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, these things will not be your focus.
Now, does this mean a believer shouldn’t seek for the things that people in the world are seeking?
Look, what lust is, is that it’s a craving that is outside the design of God’s will.
When you talk about lust, you must bring it into the framework of perspective and priority.
For example, a man can be pursuing money with single-minded focus, such that money becomes your god, that you are entirely ruled by it’s pull. That’s not the case for the believer.
The believer is not pursuing money. The believer will get money but not with the same intentions- priority and perspective as the one who is loving the world.
The one who is pursuing money will pursue it at any cost and even at the expense of God, the things of God will go under.
This my dear friends, is loving the world.
And as a believer, you must check the cost that your desires come at. Does it represent a love for God or a love for the world?
REFLECTION
Is there anything I have strong cravings for that is outside the design of God’s will or comes at the expense of God?
DECLARATION
-I believe in the good news of the gospel, that the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus has announced the provision of forgiveness of my sins.
-I don’t just know the gospel, I live the gospel. I am transformed by the gospel. The gospel is working through me.
-The hearing of the gospel produces the fruits of Genuine Faith, Love for all the Saints and Hope of a Guaranteed Future in me.
-The fruits of the gospel are not a product of my ability but are generated supernaturally.
-The fruit of the gospel produces an increasing disdain for the things of the world.
-I am careful to rein in my cravings/desires within the bounds of God’s will.
-Nothing comes at God’s expense for me.
-My perspectives and priorities represent love for God and not a love for the world.
-Because the love of the Father is in me, active, I have no love for the world.
Praise God!
HEARING BY THE WORD
(Recommended Listening)
Listen to Fruits of the Gospel 5>> Dr. Phil by The StandPoint Church on #SoundCloud
