“If Anyone Loves the World”
A Solemn Warning to a Godless, Comfortable Generation
Text: 1 John 2:15–17
“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.”
I. The Most Offensive Sentence in Comfortable Christianity
This verse is not gentle.
It is not negotiable.
It is not symbolic.
It is absolute.
John does not say:
“Be careful not to love the world too much”
“Balance God and the world”
“Love God first, then enjoy the world”
He says:
“If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
This is not about losing reward.
This is about not belonging to God at all.
And this verse lands like a hammer upon a generation that has everything—except God.
II. Singapore: A Modern Parable of Prosperity Without God
Singapore is admired globally:
Stability
Efficiency
Safety
Financial security
World-class education
Career pathways mapped from childhood
Yet Jesus once asked:
“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36)
This is a nation that:
Trains children to chase grades
Trains adults to chase careers
Trains families to chase property
Trains everyone to chase financial security
And God is often reduced to:
A weekend accessory
A crisis hotline
A blessing vending machine
Not Lord.
Not King.
Not Master.
III. The Three Loves That Reveal a Godless Heart
1 John 2:16 defines the world clearly:
“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father.”
1. The Lust of the Flesh – Living for Comfort
This generation worships comfort:
Air-conditioned lives
Convenience
Pleasure
Avoidance of suffering
Yet Jesus said:
“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”
A Christianity that cannot suffer is not Christianity—it is self-help.
2. The Lust of the Eyes – Never Satisfied
Scrolling.
Comparing.
Upgrading.
Wanting.
More money.
Better job.
Better lifestyle.
Better image.
Yet Scripture says:
“The eye is never satisfied with seeing.” (Ecclesiastes 1:8)
A generation that always wants more has never understood contentment in God.
3. The Pride of Life – Security Without God
This is the greatest idol in Singapore.
“I am secure.”
“I am prepared.”
“I have savings.”
“I have insurance.”
“I have plans.”
James rebukes this spirit:
“You do not know what tomorrow will bring… You ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills.’” (James 4:14–15)
When money becomes your security, God becomes unnecessary.
IV. God Is Not Competing for Space in Your Heart
Hear this clearly:
God does not share the throne.
Jesus said:
“No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)
Not should not.
Cannot.
You may claim faith.
You may attend church.
You may use Christian language.
But if your deepest trust is in:
Salary
CPF
Property
Career ladder
Retirement plan
Then money is your god.
And God does not accept second place.
V. The Terrifying Truth: God May Let You Have It All
The scariest judgment is not poverty.
It is prosperity without repentance.
Romans 1 describes a frightening phrase:
“God gave them over…”
Sometimes God does not strike.
He does not interrupt.
He does not warn again.
He simply lets you succeed.
And you arrive at old age:
Financially secure
Emotionally empty
Spiritually dead
Jesus said:
“You say, ‘I am rich, I have prospered, I need nothing,’ not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:17)
VI. The World Is Passing Away—So Are You
1 John 2:17 concludes:
“The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Your job will end.
Your money will be left behind.
Your body will decay.
Your certificates will mean nothing.
Only one question will remain:
Did you love the world—or did you love God?
Not:
“Did you succeed?”
“Did you feel safe?”
“Did you enjoy life?”
But:
“Did you obey Me?”
VII. A Final Call to Repentance
This sermon is not for atheists.
It is for comfortable Christians.
For those who say:
“I believe in God—but…”
If you must add a “but” to God,
He is not your God.
Jesus’ final warning:
“Remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 17:32)
She left Sodom physically
but her heart remained there
And she became a monument to this truth:
You cannot walk toward heaven while loving the world behind you.
Closing Exhortation
Singapore does not need more successful Christians.
It needs repentant ones.
Not those who say, “God bless my plans,”
but those who pray, “God destroy my plans if they oppose Yours.”
“Choose this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)
Because if you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you.
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