That We May Know
Scripture: 1 John 5:13-17
GIST: Christianity is about knowing the TRUTH; don’t worship lies.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death.There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.20 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. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
John ends this letter designed to let believers know if they have eternal life (if they really are saved) with a list of truths we can know—certainties of our faith.
1. We have eternal life (verse 13)
- If we believe in Jesus and give Him control of our lives, we will be saved (surety) and stay saved (security).
2. God answers whatever we pray in His will (verses 14-17) -As Christians, our wills are being conformed to His. This happens by knowing His Word. If we know that He gives whatever is in His will, and we know His will is to save the lost, deepen our faith, use us for His kingdom…etc, why aren’t we praying like this…all the time?
-We’ve discussed “the sin leading to death” elsewhere. However, I will briefly make a few points. 1) Sin leading to death means Hell. 2) All unrepented sin leads to Hell. 3) John is not saying we can know who will not repent, but rather that we should not pray for those who have not. 4) Beyond praying for those who have already passed away, this does not limit our prayers for those we see trapped in sin—for whom we are told "If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life.."
3. Those who are saved don’t live in sin (verse 18) -It doesn’t define our lives. There is a marked and continuous decrease in sin.
4. Those who are saved are guarded and kept by Jesus Christ (verse 18) -We can still be tempted by our sinful desires, but Satan cannot touch us. We cannot be possessed and controlled by his influence. In all things, we are in Jesus’ hands.
5. The saved reflect God. The sinful world does not; it reflects Satan. (verse 19) -There is opposition between Christ and our natural state.
6. Jesus came and gave us understanding so we may know Him (the Truth), and, in fact, we are in The Truth (Jesus Christ).
7. He is God. He is eternal life. -Eternal life is just life forever; it’s Jesus.
8. AND because we know all of this, we can’t waste our time worshiping idols. -An idol is a false god. John ends this letter on knowing truth and being transformed by it with this very simply, but profound appeal. How do we know if we’re saved? We worship the Truth, not lies. This world worships so many lies. The lie of power, beauty, prestige, modern equality…etc. In this situation, Christians are often labeled as people of blind faith… essentially opposed to truth. The opposite is true. We can know the truth. Embrace Him. Throw off lies.
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