Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom
1 John 5:18-21
 

Anne Mathew
Connecticut Mar Thoma Congregation


21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
 

In this passage, Apostle John closes with a strong warning to stay away from idols or “false gods”. He is telling us to keep away from anything that might take God’s place in our hearts.  As we live our daily lives, there are many things that take precedence – our jobs, our families, money and the pleasures of this world.  We become idolaters and sinners as we get caught up and give undue importance and time pursuing these worldly pleasures. John also has a message of hope for us in this passage.  He makes it very clear and we can be sure of this because he starts each of the verses 18, 19, and 20 with the phrase – “We know that….”
Verse 18: “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself; and the wicked one does not touch him.”  What John says here is not that we will never sin but as believers, when we do sin which we all do from time to time, the Spirit of God living in us will not allow us to continue sinning. He will convict us and bring us to the realization to repent and move on with our lives.  The devil will not have a hold on us. God keeps us standing firm in our faith.  We have righteousness in Jesus.
Verse 19: “We know that we are of God; and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.”  Jesus died on the cross for our sins and redeemed us from darkness. (Gal. 1:4)  This is our surety, we can be absolutely certain as believers we are His and we are separated from this world which is ruled by the wicked one.  We will not continue living in darkness.  There is no in-between for us, either we are of God or we are of the world.  We are in a relationship with Jesus.
Verse 20: “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is the true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God and eternal life.”   This is our assurance and hope, Jesus came that we might have life abundantly (John 10:10).  Understanding this truth will set us free (John 8: 32) and if the Son sets us free we are free indeed (John 8:36).  We have revelation (understanding, wisdom) in Jesus.
He has set us free by our faith in Jesus so let us guard our hearts and keep away from the idols of this world and serve the living God.

PRAYER

Father, we come to You for grace to understand truths revealed in Your word. Send us Your Holy Spirit and convict us of all our unrighteousness. In Jesus name we ask. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand”
John 10: 27-28.

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