The Culture of Hope Founded on Faith
1 John, Part 11b – More of What We Know
Throughout 1 John, we are told in various ways what we need to know for both our assurance of salvation and our firm understanding regarding Jesus Christ, the Son of God. But there are also places in 1 John that cite that “we know” specific information. Last week we explored the first four of the “we know” statements. This week we’ll look at the other four.
Our prayers are the subject of the “we know” in 1 John 5:14-15: “This is the confidence that we have in him that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us. If we know that He hears us, we know that whatsoever we ask we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” To pray according to God’s will we need to understand what His will is. We grow in our understanding of God’s will through careful study of His Word, the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 confirms the role of Scripture in our righteousness and understanding of God’s will: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” In addition, Romans 12:1 urges us, “ …by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
The next “we know” is in 1 John 5:18: “We know that whosoever is born of God sins not; but he that is begotten of God keeps himself, and that wicked one touches him not.” Three important facets of our Christian walk are mentioned here. The first is that whoever is born of God does not sin. 1 John 3:9 makes it clear that it is the persistent and unrepentant practice of sin that demonstrates an unrepentant heart. We know from the end of chapter one and the beginning of chapter two that Christians do sin, but we are not bound to sin, and that God is faithful and just to not only forgive us our sins when we repent and confess, but also to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). We sin because we live in constant spiritual warfare involving the pressures of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
The second facet of our Christianity that is mentioned here is that the child of God “keeps himself”. Ephesians 6:13-18 shows us the armor that God has already provided in order for us to be protected. Like anything else about our salvation, we cannot just look at the shiny pieces and be protected. We have to, by faith, pick up and put on truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Bible, persevering prayer, and watchfulness. How do we do that? Through persistent study and application of the truths of Scripture, the Bible. As 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
The third facet is the presence of the “wicked one” who cannot touch us without God’s permission. This also brings us to the next “we know” in 1 John 5:19, “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.” We recognize the contrast of the holiness, purity, and loveliness of our Lord within us in comparison with a dark and wicked world ruled over by the devil himself since Adam’s fall. Ephesians 6:12 explains that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
The final “we know” is in 1 John 5:20: “And we know that the Son of God is come and has given us an understanding; that we may know Him that is true and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” The ultimate assurance of our salvation and eternal life is the understanding of Himself that comes only from God. Our response to God is to “abide in Him” (1 John 2:24, 27, 28) so that the flow of understanding of Scripture and of God’s work in and through us is not hindered. He is the one, only, and true God, known only through faith in Jesus Christ.
Update/Prayer Request: The good news is that no cancer or tumors were evident in Dan’s Pet/CT scan of last week. Praise God for His intervention! Dan’s Pet/CT scan and my follow-up X-rays revealed that both of us have sternum fractures that weren’t picked up in the initial x-rays taken the day of our collision. No wonder we are still in so much pain four weeks after the accident, albeit in less pain than we were. Carolyn’s ribs appear to be getting better, as well. Please pray for our continued rest and healing.
