Father, John writes of how to live in love. He says I am to love my brother and sister. And I am not to love the world or anything in it. These are tall orders.
Help me love my brother and sister: other believers who You have put in my life.
Some of them are so loving to me that it is easy to love them back. They have been like “iron sharpening iron.” We hone one another to be better and “sharper. “
But some are like sandpaper to me. We do not get along, and although they may “sand off’” some of my rough spots, mostly they are just an irritant and cause sore, raw spots that hurt. These people are harder to love. They are the ones I need Your help with.
Remind me that each one of them is one of Your amazing creations who You love greatly. I know that You love them; show me how to do the same.
Not loving the world is also a difficult task. While many things in the world are repulsive and easy to avoid, it was these same three things John mentions here that have drawn people into sin since Adam and Eve.
The first two are the “lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes.” The word lust here is a “strong desire of any kind, good or bad, but evil if not submitted to the will of God. “
So whether it is for intimacy, or pleasure, or just comfort, I would usually rather feel comfort than pain, a full stomach than hunger, warm and safe than cold and fearful. It can be hard to turn away from things that offer me a sense of satisfaction in food, comfort or safety. But I need to be sure my flesh and my eyes are not pulling me to just go my own way and satisfy worldly appetites.
Father, show me how to maintain proper limits and boundaries.
The third, “the pride of life” represents a moral arrogance or boasting of superior attitude or vanity. The world holds that the one with the best or the most wins. Your economy is different. It is not the elevation of possessions or self that will give me eternal life with You.
Help me live a life of obedience to You and humility toward others.
I believe what John says: “the world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Do not let me invest in what will pass away, but invest in what is eternal. Amen
Daily Bible Prayer 
Often it is so much easier to “love” an acquaintance or a stranger rather than our families. They are too close and have the power to hurt so much more. But with God’s help, we are able to extend His mercy to even our families! Thank you, God!
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