Free Bible Commentary
“First John 5:18-21”
Categories: First John“We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
There is some question as to whether it is Christ that “keeps” the one “born of God,” or the Christian who keeps “himself” (verse 18). Even though John has one or the other specifically in mind in the immediate context, it is obvious that both statements are true based on the clear teaching of the Bible in other places. Those of us who have put on Christ in baptism and hold true to His world of life “are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). But God’s promised protection does not remove our personal responsibility to keep ourselves “unstained by the world” (James 1:27). Even in today’s reading, John ends the entire letter with the command for us to “guard” or “keep” ourselves from idols (verse 21).
“We know that we are of God and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (verse 19). There is no third option available to humankind. We are either with God or with Satan. We either abide in truth or we die in error. We either walk in the path of righteousness or we stumble down the broad road to destruction. We either have God as our benevolent, sovereign Father or “the prince of this world” as our tyrannical dictator (John 14:30). When we are “born of God” by “water and the Spirit” (John 3:3-5), and refuse to continue in a life dominated by sin, “the evil one does not touch” us. Satan may tempt us, he may “sift us like wheat” (Luke 23:31), he may dapple our way with obstacles; but he cannot do us permanent harm. Jesus said of His sheep, “I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28).
“We know that the Son of God has come” (verse 20). It is this profound knowledge and conviction that has changed the entirety of our worldview, and the course of our lives forever and ever. When you come to know Jesus as “the Son of God” who “has come” into this world to live and die as a man for the sins that destroy you, you have come to know “the true God” who alone can offer you “eternal life”. And the more time you spend in His word, with Him in prayer, in His presence in worship, the nearer you grow to Him and the more intimately you come to “know Him who is true.” Jesus is “the true God,” who is exceedingly greater and excellent than the false “idols” (verse 21) that are prevalent in this world. We must guard ourselves against any false religions or inferior substitutes for the only God who can satisfy our souls and save our spirits for eternity.
Ever keep on your guard! Our God is good and all-powerful but our adversary is evil and crafty! “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:7-8)
Lord willing we will have a brief introduction to Second John for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
-Louie Taylor
