Battle Lines

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. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”  - 1 John 2:15-16

I found it more than a bit ironic that this passage came to me in an email on Veteran’s Day.  A day in which we recognize and honor those who have served in the armed forces; in particular those who have served in combat situations.  I wrote on Facebook yesterday that I’m for all those who have served this nation in a way I never have; grateful for our son Drew (Army - served in Afghanistan); I also was remembering my father (Army - WWII in Germany) and my father-in-law (Navy – Japan just after the Korean War). 

The passage was ironic because it is about battle lines.  Some may read that it depicts a battle between believers (those whom the Father is in) and non-believers (who are not from the Father but from the world).

The reality is that this passage is all about battle lines that are in each of our hearts. The battle between the love of God and “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life.”  Those are fertile battle grounds.  I’d be lying if I said that those battle grounds don’t exist within me.  For there are a lot of things in this world that I catch myself loving and desiring. For instance, I’m finishing up the first week of actually owning a smart phone.  I had no idea how really cool they were and what all I can access easily through them.  Very worldly, honestly.

I guess the good news for people like me is this: I may have my battles, but more and more the thing I desire most often goes this way:  I love Jesus.  I desire more and more to know him better.  I desire to live in his grace and walk in his ways more and more.  I want to increase my passion for sharing Jesus with people that don’t know him. More and more I want him to take over my life.

Slowly but surely he is winning the battle lines.  I am surrendering, even if it goes against my basic nature. 

OK. I downloaded a Bible reading app on phone.  Can I keep it? 

And…where are your battle lines this morning?