So it is either hate or love. And then, a little further on in the same second chapter, John focuses on what we love, and he says this in chapter 2, verses 15 and 16:
“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 lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.” (NKJ)
So notice two mutually exclusive objects of love. If we love the Father, we will not love this present world order. If we love this present world order, we cannot say we love the Father. They are mutually exclusive. Every one of those pairs of opposites that we have looked at is mutually exclusive. That's characteristic of God's moral categories.
In chapter 3, verses 8 and 9, John says this:
“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” (NKJ)
Notice there, the two alternative sources of influence and authority and direction in our life - of the devil, or of God. No third option is left. That's not the way people think today. But those are God's categories - we cannot agree with God unless we bring our categories into line with His.
Father, I acknowledge that Your thoughts are always the truth that should affect my thinking. Protect my thoughts against the thinking of this world, ultimately under the influence of your adversary, the devil. Lord, let me think Your thoughts, and help me to speak from your heart! Amen.
