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Introduction
The passage is framed within the final 72 hours of Jesus’s life, a period the Gospel of John devotes significant attention to. The theme is, of being “in the world but not of it,” drawing from John 15:18–19, where Jesus warns his disciples that the world will hate them because it first hated him. Jesus makes clear that his followers do not belong to the world because he has chosen them out of it. This teaching is part of Jesus's effort to prepare his disciples for what lies ahead—his death, resurrection, and the mission they will continue after he sends the Holy Spirit.
The Meaning of “World” (Kosmos)
The Greek word kosmos, translated as "world," appears five times in the passage and is used not to describe the physical earth or human civilization, but rather a system that is actively hostile to God and his purposes. This world system is a scheme orchestrated by Satan to distract and entrap people, steering them away from what truly matters in life. In 1 John, the same author explains it in more detail.
Three Big Questions About the World System
There are three guiding questions for this teaching:
1. What is the world system?
2. How do we escape it?
3. What happens when we do?
There can be a shallow Christian understanding of “worldliness” that only associates it with visible vices like cussing or partying. Worldliness also includes socially celebrated lifestyles—like luxury living—that can equally distract from God.
Defining the World System: 1 John 2:15–17
John defines the world system as a value structure aimed at occupying our minds so thoroughly that we ignore life's essential questions, such as the purpose of existence or what happens after death. Even highly intelligent people often avoid these foundational questions, a sign of how effective the world system is at consuming our attention.
Craving for What We See – Materialism
The first aspect of the world system is the “craving for everything we see,” which is materialism—the desire to acquire and surround ourselves with valuable possessions. There are different meanings of materialism, from the philosophical belief that matter is all that exists to the practical pursuit of comfort and status through material goods. Many Christians are indistinguishable from nonbelievers in this area, living primarily for wealth and comfort.
Craving for Physical Pleasure – Hedonism and Comfort
The second aspect is the craving for physical pleasure, which might manifest in obvious ways like substance abuse or promiscuity, but more subtly in an obsession with comfort and luxury. Some seek sensual indulgence through fine dining, expensive alcohol, or travel experiences. Even those who live relatively clean lifestyles may still be trapped in this craving by constantly seeking comfort and entertainment.
Pride in Achievements and Possessions
The third component is pride—either in one’s accomplishments or in the things one owns. This drive for admiration and approval from others leads people to pursue higher education, wealth, or even moral superiority. Even pride in one’s moral restraint or religious virtue can be a form of worldliness, as it is based on comparison and self-elevation rather than humility.
Achievements and possessions are not inherently wrong. The problem arises when these good gifts from God become the ultimate aim of one’s life. When identity and worth are rooted in unstable foundations—like success or admiration—then a single failure can shake one's entire sense of purpose. God designed pleasure and achievement to be enjoyed, but not worshiped.
The Danger of Preoccupation
The issue becomes critical when our minds are consumed with fantasies about material success, recognition, or comfort. What we daydream about, where we spend our time and energy—these are clues to what we truly value. The problem with investing in the world system, John says, is that it is fading away. Jesus echoes this in John 16:33: the values of his kingdom are in direct conflict with the values of the world. Therefore, investing in the world is a short-sighted and ultimately futile pursuit.
[Financial example]. Similarly, if the world system is destined to collapse, why continue to invest your life in it? [Confederacy example]. We should reallocate our lives and resources toward values that will endure into eternity.
The Enemy’s Strategy: Distraction and Blinding
Satan’s goal for believers is not necessarily to make them sin but to neutralize them by keeping them focused on meaningless pursuits. Once someone places their faith in Christ, their salvation is secure—there is no condemnation for them. But the enemy can still try to rob them of their effectiveness by entangling them in distractions that keep them from God’s mission.
Satan, God's enemy, uses distraction as a strategy to both sideline believers and prevent unbelievers from encountering God. For those without a relationship with God, Satan actively works to blind them from recognizing the good news about Jesus. 2 Corinthians 4:4 describes Satan as the "god of this world" who blinds the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel. The enemy’s goal is to ensure people remain preoccupied with anything other than the message of reconciliation and life through Christ.
The Deceptiveness of Worldly Temptation
[Fishing lure example]. In the same way, the world system hides its destructive nature behind attractive illusions. People chase after things that appear desirable, only to find themselves ensnared. Temptation operates under the surface, leading people to destruction while they believe they’re pursuing something good.
Escaping the World System: Not by Human Effort
Escape from the world system is not achievable through personal effort or discipline. Colossians 2:23 shows that extreme forms of self-denial are ultimately ineffective in restraining sinful desire. Whether one seeks to live simply or adopt a monastic lifestyle, the internal cravings and pride remain. Jesus provides the true escape—not through effort, but through grace. As he says in John 15:19, “I have chosen you out of the world.” Transformation comes from Christ’s initiative, not human striving.
For those who are still seeking fulfillment through worldly achievements, there is a cycle of disappointment that often follows reaching life goals. A person may attain their dream job or financial stability, yet still feel a lack of deep satisfaction. This persistent dissatisfaction drives them to chase the next thing, repeating the cycle endlessly. Jesus offers a different kind of peace—one that the world cannot give—described in John 14:27 as a peace that transcends circumstances and human understanding.
True Fulfillment Comes from Relationship with God
The peace Jesus offers begins with reconciliation with God. The failure to find meaning and fulfillment in life stems from separation from the God who designed us for relationship with him. Sin creates a barrier between humanity and God. But through Jesus’s sacrificial death, that barrier can be removed. He paid for our wrongdoing so that we could be cleansed and brought into God’s presence. There is an invitation for those who have never accepted that forgiveness to do so and begin a relationship with God, where true peace and contentment can be found.
Rejection and Hostility from the World
Answering the third question—what happens when someone leaves the world system?—is shown in John 15:18–20. Jesus warns his disciples that those who follow him will be treated the same way he was. The world hated Jesus, and it will hate his followers as well. Humiliation and rejection are to be expected. Many people today find the gospel offensive because it is founded on humility and a message of moral need. As Jesus's followers, Christians become guilty by association and will face similar scorn.
Jesus warned that persecution would be the norm for his followers. In John 15:20, “No servant is greater than his master.” Christians, especially new believers, need to be prepared. [Football example]. Likewise, knowing persecution is coming helps Christians endure. Initially, a new believer may experience joy, love, and peace—but when they begin sharing their faith, they may encounter rejection, even from friends and family, which can dampen their spiritual enthusiasm.
Persecution can take many forms: exclusion, arrest, physical harm. Jesus warned in John 16:2–4 that his followers would be put out of the synagogue, meaning total societal rejection. This came true for the apostles—most of whom were martyred. Even John, the author of this Gospel, was reportedly thrown into boiling oil and later exiled. While persecution may be rare in the West, it is widespread globally. Conservative estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of Christians die annually for their faith. Persecution remains a present and pressing reality across the world.
Tension and discomfort can arise when Christianity is brought up in conversation, particularly in middle or upper-middle-class circles. A simple mention of Jesus can immediately shift the tone, often leaving the believer feeling awkward or dismissed. [Personal example]. The root of this hostility lies in a common belief that Christianity is a tool of oppression, used by those in power to marginalize others. This misconception causes people to view Christianity with suspicion, especially in a culture that highly values social progress and personal autonomy.
Christianity has historically been seen as subversive, even dangerous, particularly in the Roman Empire. The Roman state tolerated many religions as long as they supported the empire’s social structure. But Christianity introduced the radical idea that all people are equal—men and women, slaves and free—which directly threatened the societal norms of the time. This ancient suspicion can be connected to modern discomfort. The Bible's foundational claim of human equality is not a modern invention but rooted in the truth that all people are made in the image of God.
Even loved ones may respond negatively to one’s newfound faith. While some family members may mock or criticize, others may respond with condescension or dismissiveness, chalking it up to a passing phase. Believers should not retaliate in anger but respond with love and patience, trusting that a transformed life over time will serve as the strongest testimony. Visible life change can cause others to reconsider their assumptions about Christianity.
Friendship with Jesus and the Cost of Association
There is a tension in John 15. Jesus calls his followers “friends” (v. 15), but also warns that the world will hate them just as it hated him (v. 18). This contrast presents a decision: we may be drawn to the idea of friendship with God, but we shrink from the cost that comes with it—being hated or rejected. If our primary concern is impressing others or being well-liked, then we are following the wrong leader, because Jesus promises persecution, not popularity.
Galatians 1:10 stresses the impossibility of serving both God and the approval of people. Even Jesus, a perfect man sent to save the world, could not please everyone. Thus, we too must accept that pleasing everyone is not only unrealistic but incompatible with being a disciple of Christ. The call is to choose a side: we cannot be neutral, embracing Jesus only when it benefits us and rejecting him when it costs us. True discipleship demands a firm and public commitment, even in the face of family disapproval or social loss.
Choosing Jesus frees us from the fear of human opinion. When we center our lives around the one opinion that truly matters—God’s—we experience freedom and peace.