1st John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 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. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
This passage of scripture cautions all Christians not to make the ideals and standards of the world, the means by which success is determined, neither should we be too closely affiliated with those whose sole aspiration is to be popular, for God has neither called us to popularity or earthly greatness, therefore we are to be governed by entirely different principles and ideals as we spend our short probationary period here on this earth.
One of the areas in which the love of this world is often manifested, is in the pursuit of the latest fashions, regardless of the cost, the effect they will have, or even the spiritual implications included in adopting them. The idea of having the latest style just because it is the "In thing" is productive of great evil, and it shows that those who are driven by these aspirations cannot be spiritually minded, for our passage today says that if we love the world and all that is has to offer, the love of The Father is not in us.
On such example of what has now become fashionable with millions across the nation, is the injection of botox into various parts of the body, in order to look younger, feel more confident, or to get rid of wrinkles, amongst other aspirations. The injection of any foreign matter like botox into our bodies, strictly for cosmetic reasons, constitutes a grave sin in the sight of God, and if not repented of and entirely forsaken, will cost us eternal life. Let's read:
1st Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1st Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
In recent research it has been confirmed that at least sixteen people have died from botox injections, and thus in their pursuit of the fountain of youth, they mistakenly drank from the fountain of death. As Christians we are to be governed by biblical principles and ideals in whatsoever we do think or say, and instead of pursuing external beauty which fades away, let us rather strive for that inner beauty of character that will endure for eternity. This is what the Bible encourages us as Christians to pursue, for God is not impressed with externals, but rather focuses on the inner man, where the thoughts, desires, and aspirations determine whether or not we are indeed beautiful in His sight. Let's read:
1st Peter 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves" .....
Let us therefore not strive for that superficial beauty which encourages the admiration of externals, but let us rather focus on character-building, in cooperation with God, so that when we reach the end of life's journey, an abundant entrance into the kingdom of God will be granted us, so that we may drink from the real fountain of youth, even Christ, who is described in the Bible as being a well of water springing up into eternal life. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls on all Christians to focus our attention on Christ and His kingdom, instead of pursuing the vain and superfluous thing of earth. Let's read:
John 4:7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
May God add His blessing to the study and doing of His every word. God bless!