15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 

16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world. 

17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

15 Huwag ninyong ibigin ang sanlibutan o ang mga bagay na nasa sanlibutan. Ang umiibig sa sanlibutan ay hindi umiibig sa Ama. 

16 Ang lahat ng nasa sanlibutan, ang pagnanasa ng laman, ang pagnanasa ng mga mata, at ang pagmamalaki sa buhay na ito ay hindi nagmumula sa Ama kundi sa sanlibutan. 

17 Mawawala ang sanlibutan at ang lahat ng mga bagay na pinagnanasaan ng mga tao, ngunit ang mga sumusunod sa kalooban ng Diyos ay mabubuhay magpakailanman.

Nabasa mo na ba ang nakasulat sa 1 John 2:15? “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you,” ang sabi ni John. Bakit kaya? Bakit hindi natin pwedeng mahalin ang mundong ito? Hindi ba’t ang Diyos ang may gawa sa sanglibutan? So, why are we warned against loving this word and the things it offers?

You see, when we become worldly people, we tend to forget what matters in life. We begin to love this world so much that we get so attached to it, then we fail to see and accept that this world is only our temporary home. And that is what Satan is after: he wanted to delay the coming of Christ by influencing the people to indulge in worldly things. The Lord loves us so much that He wanted to save as many people as possible. At si Satanas? Ginagawa niya tayong harang, parang hostage. Kasi nais ng Panginoon na iligtas ka, iligtas ako, na bigyan pa tayo ng pagkakataong magbago. Dahil mahal ka Niya. And the devil wanted to use that opportunity to delay the Lord’s coming for His millennial reign. Kasi alam ng devil at ng kanyang mga alagad kung saan ang ending nila: sa everlasting lake of fire. At ito pa, para sa kanya at sa mga alagad niya, kung mapupunta man sila sa Gehenna, might as well isasama na nila ang lahat ng kaya nilang isama na mga taong minamahal ng Diyos papunta sa impyerno. Para pumarty? Hindi, para sabay-sabay na masunog. Kasi alam nilang masasaktan ang Panginoon kapag marami sa mga anak Niya ang sumama sa evil one.

“We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19 NLT)

May inihandang bagong tahanan si Lord para sa ‘yo na payapa at masagana. Kaya kanino ka sasama? Kay Satan ba o kay Lord?

In 1 John 2:16, it says,

“For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world.” 

Remember, not all blessings comes from the Lord. Bakit sa tingin ninyo may mga taong corrupt, mga taong walang pananalig sa Diyos o kung mayro’n man ay sumasamba sa mga diyos-diyosan o gumagawa pa rin ng mga bagay na labag sa utos ng tunay na Diyos tapos sila pa ang mas nakaaangat sa buhay?

Most often, these material blessings come from the devil to make those people believe that what they are doing is right even if it’s wrong in the eyes of God. Don’t you know that the ruler of this world up to the 1st heaven (Earth’s atmosphere) is the devil?

“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4

Contrary to what Hollywood depicts, Satan is not the ruler of hell. He is the ruler of this world! Siya ang lider ng mga anghel na nagrebelde (fallen angels) kay Lord, at siya rin ang big boss ng mga demons (evil spirits). And this world where we live? This is his territory. His kingdom.

Why do you think he offered Jesus all the kingdoms in the world if Jesus would only kneel and worship him? Because he has the authority to give it away. And if you accept his offering, it is clear who you have chosen to be your god.

Eh, bakit may mga taong naghihikahos at naghihirap? Sa tingin mo, sino kaya ang humaharang sa mga biyayang para sa ‘yo? Para ang ending ay magalit ka sa Diyos at talikuran Siya. Sino kaya sa tingin mo ang humarang? Think about it.

Huwag nating mahalin ang mundong ito. Dahil hindi ito ang permanent address natin. Huwag nating hayaang malinlang tayo ng mga makamundong bagay na inihahandog sa atin ni Satanas. Do not be a lover of money, for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs (1 Timothy 6:10 ESV). 

If we only crave earthly pleasures and want to have everything this world has to offer because of our covetous hearts, it will lead us to lust, envy, and greed. If we put so much value on our possessions and achievements, we become prideful. Aren’t lust, envy, greed, and pride all part of the 7 deadly sins according to the Catholic faith?

Magugunaw din ang mundong ito, at hindi naman natin maisasama sa langit ang lahat ng mga pag-aari natin dito. Let’s not place so much value on what we have or what we covet so much in this world, for all these things will only be temporary. But if we follow God’s commands, remain faithful to Him, and do acts of faith by doing good works, the Lord will reward us with treasures in heaven that are everlasting.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20 NIV)

Where do you want to spend the rest of your lives? With Satan and his followers swimming at the eternal lake of fire (eternal hell)? Or with the Lord in New Earth and New Heavens?

Ikaw nasaan ang puso mo? For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21 ESV).

So, let us keep away from anything that might take God’s place in our hearts (1 John 5:21 NLT).