We Know

 

Scripture Text

1 John 5:17-21

Intro: There are some things God wants us to know for sure. He does not want us to be in doubt about our relationship with Christ and with Him. He does not want us to be deceived by the devil.                        We become strong Christians when we know some things.

I. We are to know what sin is. 1 John 5:17 (NKJV) All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. We know that all unrighteousness is sin. Unrighteousness is disobeying God and breaking His commandments. Too many people think too lightly of some sins. They rank sins, feeling that some sins are not so bad and are more acceptable to God. No unrighteousness is acceptable to God. It's all sin. Sin cost the life of God's only begotten Son.

II. We are to know Christians do not sin. 1 John 5:18 (NKJV) 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. We are to live pure and holy lives. We have been born of God are set apart for Him and His service. This means that the believers must stay close to God and his people, not listening to false teachers who would try to pull them away. We are to keep ourselves in the love of God. Jude 1:20-21 ²⁰  But you, beloved, build yourself up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹  keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. We keep ourselves in the love of God by letting it to flood our minds, overwhelm our souls and sink deep into our hearts. Way too many Christians are only skimming the surface, and are not diving into the depths of God’s love for them. Way too many Christians are not believing, knowing and experiencing the love God has for them. When we keep ourselves in God's love the evil one can not touch us.

III. We are to know our position in God. 1 John 5:18b-19 (NKJV) ^18b but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. ¹⁹  We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. True Christians are to know their position in God and eternity. We are to know we are children of God, and because of that, we have been freed from Satan’s power. We know that evil comes from the ruler of this world because the world is under the power and control of the evil one. Therefore we are to humble ourselves before God and submit to Him. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. [James 4:7] We know as Christians we stand apart, separate from the world of unsaved people and from Satan, we are united together with God in Christ. Because of our position in God we are to ¹⁴  Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵  that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. [Philippians 2:14-15] Only when we know our position in God will one shine as a light in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation.

IV. We are to know Jesus gives us spiritual understanding. 1 John 5:20 (NKJV) And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, 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. Jesus Christ gives us the knowledge of God, not just head knowledge but experiential knowledge. Knowledge that comes from a personal relationship with God. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 ³⁰  But of God you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Jesus Christ gives us the knowledge that we are in Him and He is the true God. The Holy Spirit has placed us in Jesus and in the Father God. Jesus has given us knowledge that we live, move, and have our being in God and in Him; that we are secure forever in God because we have been given the very divine nature of God Himself when He placed His Spirit within us. We know the true God who lives eternally, and we will never die, but will live with Him and Jesus forever and ever.

V. We are to keep ourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21 (NKJV) Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. Because of the spiritual understanding that Christ has given us we are to “keep yourselves from idols.” We are to “Beware of any teachings which are opposed to the truth of the bible.” We are to guard ourselves from any ideas concerning God, other than those which have been made known to us through Jesus Christ. Any other thought is idolatry. An idol is a substitute or false god taking the place of the true. An idol can be a material thing or a false teaching. An idol is anything that takes first place in a person's life, anything that a person puts before God. An idol is anything that consumes our focus and thoughts, that consumes our energy and efforts more than God.

Invitation: Do you know you are born of God? If not, confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save you. Invite Him into your life to take charge of you. Then make a public profession of your faith in Jesus by being baptized!