Sunday we worked our way through 1 John 2:15-17, considering the command “Do not love the world or the things of the world”. To love the world is to live according to the things the world values. To love the Father is to live according to the things that He values. In the sermon I mentioned finding a helpful chart that was originally produced in a book titled Embracing Obscurity. However the version I found had been reproduced and edited by Daniel Akin in the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary. In my sermon and below I have also reproduced and significantly edited the chart in hopes of creating a helpful tool for us to use as we evaluate our values and what we love.
| Values of the World | Values of the Kingdom |
| The world says the focus is on me | In the Kingdom the focus must be on God |
| The world says make as much money as possible | In the Kingdom we are to give as much money away as possible. (2 Corinthians 9) |
| The world values living comfortably | Jesus teaches us that life is not about comfort, but about doing hard things now so that we can reap the rewards in the life to come |
| The world teachers that you should make a name for yourself | The Kingdom is about Making His name great (Psalm 96:3; 1 Peter 2:9) |
| The world says do whatever makes you happiest. | The Kingdom says do whatever brings God glory (1 Corinthians 10:31) |
| The world directs us to teach our children to love themselves and seek self-fulfillment. | Our Father instructs us to teach our children to love and obey Him. |
| The world values looks – look like a model and turn your physical appearance into an idol | Scripture instructs us to treat our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit and cultivate inner beauty (godly character). (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) |
| The world says offer “acts of service” when you feel like it (on your own terms) | Jesus teaches, be a servant, even when it is uncomfortable or inconvenient. (Luke 9:23-25, 57-62) |
| The world says stay married as long as your spouse meets your needs | Scripture instructs us to serve our spouse (the way Christ modeled servanthood) and choose to love him or her for life. (Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Corinthians 13) |
| The world values power, so they encourage us to come across as powerful and influential. | The Kingdom is about giving preference to others in words and actions. (Philippians 2:1-4) |
| The world says use worldly wisdom to accrue wealth | In the Kingdom we are to value true wisdom (fear of God) over all the treasures of the earth. |
| The world demands that we stay up to date on fashions and trends. | Jesus teaches us to be be content with what we have. (Hebrews 13:5) |
| The world values entertainment – watching sports, participating in sports, video games, binge watching your favorite shows. | The Kingdom values giving my life to knowing Christ and making Him known to others, through loving acts of service. |
| The world teaches us when other hurt you it’s right to hurt them back. Bitterness & Revenge | The way of the Kingdom is forgiveness. (Ephesians 4:31-32) |
| The world makes everything as dramatic as possible. Gossiping about others is right (ie social media, classic media). Media’s goal is to get you worked up so they get more clicks and views. | In the Kingdom we are called to be peacemakers, who mind our own business and focus on our own lives and work. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-14) |
| The world is given to worry, anxiety, depression | We are called to peace, contentment, joy (Philippians 4:4-8; Galatians 5:22-23) |
| The world says busyness cannot be helped and the busy you are the better. | The Kingdom is about resting in Christ, learning to sabbath, and choosing the “BEST” things to put on our calendars. |
| The world values “sexual freedom” and sexual immorality | We are called to sexual purity, because true sexual freedom is found in the gift and covenant of marriage. (1 Thessalonians 4:3) |
| The world says your unrighteous anger is justified. | In the Kingdom we are called to be patient with others, forbear others, suffer long with others, be gentle and forgive. (Colossians 3:12-14) |
| The world encourages the use of alcohol and other substances to help you relax or to make sure you are enjoying life to the fullest | In the Kingdom we are only to be filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit, not alcohol. (Ephesians 5:18) |