John reveals to all that there is a battle being fought every day. It is a battle that involves everyone on the face of the earth. The world is full of temptations for young and old alike. Today there seems to be less time for the home, family, and God. A struggle goes on to provide and maintain a standard of living, and the proper spiritual nurturing. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (1 John 2:15-17).
It is easy to see as we look around us today that many are getting farther and farther away from God. As this is happening what should be the main goal of every life, preparing for eternity, becomes more obscure. If we desire to live eternity with God in heaven we must search for and follow the steps of Jesus as we travel through this world. "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" (1 Peter 2:21).
Jesus was tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:1-11) with the lust of flesh, eyes and pride of life. Jesus used the scriptures to answer the temptations. This gives us an idea of just how important the knowledge of God’s word should be to us.The things of this life will not last forever. One day they will all be destroyed. Only those who have sided with the God of heaven by obeying His Word will have a home in heaven for eternity.
Most of us are greatly blessed with material possessions. Overall compared too many in the world our entire nation ranks as one of the richest. We need to keep in mind from where all our blessings come. It is tempting to think that we provide everything for ourselves. Some look at the work they do and forget that without God, we would not be able to do our jobs, or even exist. In the book of Acts we read where Paul made the following statement, "For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring" (Acts 17:22).
Just as in the physical life we must remember God is our commander, so must we realize this in the spiritual realm. We must turn our lives over to God; obey the gospel by being baptized for the remission of our sins and living for God each day. There is a battle, but we can be victorious.