In the year 2005, what does this verse mean to you? { NIV}
1John2.15 " Do not love the world or ANYTHING in the world.If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." How does that verse effect your hunting?
This would be the lust of the flesh, coveting to be like the ungodly in their ways, to want recognition and be admired as a person of means. This is not to say that we can't appreciate God's handiwork, or to love one another, or to seek means to provide for our families.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
1John2.15 " Do not love the world or ANYTHING in the world.If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." How does that verse effect your hunting?
Leaf,
I believe tha the key word here is LOVE. A few years I had made a god out of collecting baseball cards. One day when I was going to purchase a certain rookie card for 50 dollars it appeared to me I had a problem. People at that time were starving in Ethiopia, Africa and I was blowing God's money on baseball cards. I eventually sold all my cards and quit. The same could be true for the Christian hunter. I compared my giving to what I have spent on hunting stuff. I am ashamed. I also compared my time I spend searchin gand reading hunting imformation compared to how much time I read God's Word.I am ashamed. Hunting is not wrong when put in it's proper place. A verse to consider is "Godliness with contentment is GREAT GAIN." I know from studying that verse this morning I've made some adjustments in my life.
Chuck
In the year 2005, what does this verse mean to you? { NIV}
1John2.15 " Do not love the world or ANYTHING in the world.If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." How does that verse effect your hunting?
I'll comment later.
Chuck
Chuck, to me, the things of the world and the things of God are not the same.
If I love the things of the world more than the things of God, I lack the love that God wants me to have.
A car is a thing of the world. So is clothing. So are groceries!
It is not wrong to have these things and to enjoy these things.
However, what are my priorities? What do I put first in my life?
The things of God should come first.
I'm agreeing with what's already been said . . . and adding my $.02
What God commands us to NOT love is the worldly things like the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Obviously, we can love what God gave us for our enjoyment -- and animals and hunting are among those things! Remember, "For GOD so loved the world" doesn't contradict what He said, so our love of His creation shouldn't either.
__________________
Today' s small bucks are tomorrow' s trophies.
[image]http://www.whitetails.com/deer8.html[image]
Harford Conty Hunter,
I'm just simply saying that we can't love these things more than God. Jesus asked Peter," lovest thou these more than me?" Anything can become a god. I enjoy hunting dearly. But this year I have to evaluate the time I have put into it and the money. I can't help but think about missionaries in our time who have left all to win souls. Just a thought. I don't want hunting to have such a hold on me that I could not let it go if the Lord wanted me to. Recently we went to a garage sale. A hunter was called by God to go to Africa. He gave two gorgeous mounts to my disabled brother in law who no longer hunts.
Chuck, I mean this in the best possible of ways. I just don't draw from scripture that God wants us to give up everything that we draw enjoyment from. Maybe He has a higher calling for you, and you may need to make that choice. I'm a hunter . . .thats what I do. If the Lord wants it, . .He can have it, however that is not what your scripture is saying to me. To me it is speaking of unGodly desires, coveting, and ego driven pursuits. I know many very good evangelists that are avid hunters, and they exalt the Lord in everything they do.
Some of the diciples were fishermen, . .and when the Lord called them they put down their nets and followed after Christ. This was their occupation, and not nesessarily their enjoyment. Are you ready to lay down what you do for a living and answer to a call?
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
The word that covers everything is ALL ." ALL that is in in the world." In the OT they were chastized for desiring quail if I remember right. Hunting is my favorite pass time. I wish I could go today. I'm just saying we should always have a willing heart to lay even those things down at the feet of Jesus if necessary.
Chuck
I think my view is pretty simple and doctrinally correct. Don't allow anything, regardless of what it is, to interfere with or hold a higher priority than the will of God in our lives.
Please expound on this verse 1 Jn, 2;15
