Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 100th. Edition.
Dear Saints,
Today is a significant day in our journey. We mark 100 days since I arrived from my wanderings, to enter into self-quarantine. The CQE’s are also 100 days old. Today we also conclude our devotions in 1 John. No, relax. We’ll be there tomorrow, God willing, and a new series. Our conclusion (1 John 5:18-21) echoes the introduction. Compare these verses to 1:5-6 and you will see that the thought is the same. This has been true of this whole letter because we keep coming back to the same assertion, true believers do not continue in sin.
The Contrast (vv. 18-19). In his final words, John reiterates the simple truth. One does not need to have an advanced degree in Philosophy or Theology to grasp the simple fact that those who are in Christ keep themselves from sin, while the world “lies under the sway of the wicked one.” If you want to know where a person belongs, just look at the life and actions, and “by their fruits, you will know them” (Matthew 7:20).
The Confirmation (v. 20). The false teachers were hyping special knowledge, but it is the believers who have been given special understanding, having come to know God in Christ. Not only do we know him, but we are also in him. What wonderful assurance! The true God we know and are in is also eternal life itself. Because we are in him, it follows that we have eternal life. We need not be swayed by the lies of anyone.
The Conclusion (v. 21). This command to keep themselves from idols may not have been on account of any worship of idols on the part of believers, but the association of some believers with unbelievers in situations where idol worship was practiced. If a Christian accompanied an unbelieving friend to a place where rituals were performed in honor of idols, observers might well have concluded that the Christian approved. We must stay away from situations that could be interpreted to suggest that we agree with unchristian practices. Of course, we ought to also keep ourselves from idols. Today’s idols are rarely crafted from stone, silver, or gold – well, one idol is, money.
Anything that takes the focus away from God is an idol. It can be things, fame, and power, a person, or an obsession. Keep yourself from idols.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.