Read:
1 John 2:15-16 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
Think:
When the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez landed at Vera Cruz, Mexico in 1519 he was intent on conquest. To assure the devotion of his men, Cortez set fire to his fleet of eleven ships! With no means of retreat Cortez’s army had only one direction to move, into the Mexican interior. Cortez understood the price of commitment—and he paid it. He did not want his soldiers to possess a divided loyalty.
Verse 15 is a stark statement: don’t love the world or anything in it, or you don’t have the love of the Father. In other words, as Jesus said, you can’t serve two masters. You cannot give your affections to God and also give your affections to the world. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the good things of the world. But God should always be our first love. All other loves should pale by comparison. And only those things that please God should have any place in our affections.
Tiger Woods seemed to have it all – fame, fortune, talent, and success - but the dude was totally bummed out and unfulfilled, you know? His life was pretty much a facade to mask how empty he felt inside. But really, the only thing Tiger Woods cared about was himself. Everything else was just a means to an end, ditched whenever it wasn’t useful anymore. His top priority was and would always be himself and getting what he wanted.
Apply:
How has your life changed as a believer? Are you transformed by Jesus? If Jesus has changed your life, as he desires to change Tiger’s, you will be different. Today, focus on him, make him your first love.
Pray:
Jesus, help me to be honest and give every part of my life to you. Give me the courage to do what is right and show others your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.