AUGUST 25 = 1 JOHN 5
One of the clear marks of John’s writing is circular unfolding of ideas, and the repeat of themes. It’s one of the ways that we can be certain that both the gospel and these three letters are written by the same author. Revelation carries some of those characteristics, as well. These circles are poetic in style, and often revolve around the words faith (belief, know), love (both God and other people) and obey.
Chapter five provides one of these beautiful poetic circles. Let’s follow it and se...
AUGUST 25 = 1 JOHN 5
One of the clear marks of John’s writing is circular unfolding of ideas, and the repeat of themes. It’s one of the ways that we can be certain that both the gospel and these three letters are written by the same author. Revelation carries some of those characteristics, as well. These circles are poetic in style, and often revolve around the words faith (belief, know), love (both God and other people) and obey.
Chapter five provides one of these beautiful poetic circles. Let’s follow it and see what the Lord would teach us from it today.
FAITH LEADS TO LOVE:
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.”
LOVE LEADS TO OBEY
“This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands.
OBEY BY FAITH
And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
John wrote it elsewhere, and we are wise to hear it: When we believe that Jesus is literally God in flesh, then we have come to realize that God loves us. That brings us to love God in return, and to love others as well. Then, if we love God, we will do what he tells us to do. So faith leads to love, which brings us to obey. And God’s command is for us to believe, so when we obey him, it brings us back around to faith.
There is much more in this chapter, including this reiteration from chapter four that faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
But what I’d like to zero in on is John’s closing sentence, which is such a great slogan for us all to live by. I have written it and put it in my office for some years, because I think the applications are surprisingly abundant. John says,
“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”
Know that John is writing this out of love, not out of legalistic bullying. He calls us “dear children,” just as he calls himself “the elder.” So this is Grandpa giving us life advice in a sentence—the most important thing he can close with.
What does he say we are to do? Keep ourselves from idols. Idols are everywhere. They tempt us every day. I don’t mean statues of people or false gods in the traditional sense. Modern culture doesn’t fall for that kind of superstitious mumbo-jumbo, thinking there is some invisible spiritual power out there that we can all tap into if we just touch the right thing and say the words. Or, maybe that is all around us, but because there isn’t a statue, we don’t see it as an idol.
Or what about the rise of superstars in the last generation or two? Sports heroes? Movie stars. Musical artists? Because of our access to media, celebrities are made almost overnight. And because wealth comes with such fame, we focus even more on the lifestyles of the rich and famous. John says to keep ourselves from such false gods as wealth and fame.
Have we as a society made idols out of science? Self-expression? Medications? Church? Entertainment? Education? (That one just got too close to home!) Possessions? Health? Psychology? The earth? Self-help? Money? The list goes on and on. Can you see how each of those things—for that matter, literally anything or anyone on earth—can become idols if we are not careful to keep ourselves from them?
Idols can be man made institutions or structures, which we treat with such reverence as to be sacred. They could be holidays or traditions. We can make an idol out of a hobby or a favorite vacation spot.
Perhaps a question to ask ourselves is whether we let anything get in the way of our Bible reading or devotions. Or anything that causes us to doubt our faith. Or sources that place bad words in our minds that come popping out when we are under pressure.
As you can see, I think there are many idols in our midst, and just because we don’t bow down to statues doesn’t mean we aren’t surrounded by idolatry. But because it is in disguise, we can easily miss seeing it.
So I will close by saying to you, dear brothers and sisters, keep yourselves from idols.
