Jesus Pleased His Father from the Inside Out
We live in alignment with God's will. That is where our priorities should lie. 1 John 2:15 (KJV) boldly states, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." John challenges us to examine our hearts and actions, steering away from worldly distractions that pull us farther from God's purpose for us.
John emphasizes three key areas of sin in 1 John 2:16 (...
Jesus Pleased His Father from the Inside Out
We live in alignment with God's will. That is where our priorities should lie. 1 John 2:15 (KJV) boldly states, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." John challenges us to examine our hearts and actions, steering away from worldly distractions that pull us farther from God's purpose for us.
John emphasizes three key areas of sin in 1 John 2:16 (KJV): “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” These sins revolve around pride and self-centered desires, whether it’s indulging physical cravings, envying what others have, or seeking self-glorification. Yet, these worldly ambitions are fleeting, as the scripture reminds us in 1 John 2:17 (KJV): “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
To resist these temptations, God calls us to change from the inside out and live in obedience as Jesus did. Even during trials, Jesus fully submitted to God’s plan. After His baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, marking God's pleasure in Him. "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy,” the Father proclaimed in Mark 1:11. This declaration celebrated Jesus’ obedience—not just outwardly, but from the inside out.
Scripture continually highlights the importance of obedience. God was pleased with Abraham's willingness to leave his homeland in Genesis 12, and through the prophet Samuel, He declared, “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22, KJV). Obedience positions us in alignment with God’s will, compelling us to grow spiritually and live a life centered on Him.
When we pursue God's priorities over the world's, starting with obedience, holiness flows naturally. Job’s covenant with his eyes (Job 31:1) or the call to modesty in our actions and dress remind us to resist the pull of worldly temptation and reset our focus. Whether we’re battling lust, envy, or pride, the solution lies in surrendering to God’s will.
The world tempts us to live for fleeting pleasures, yet its promises are hollow. A life lived for God finds eternal joy and purpose. Today, reflect on whether you’re pleasing the world or pleasing your Heavenly Father. Begin your renewal by seeking His Spirit to guide you from the inside out. Obeying Him is always the path to true fulfillment.
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