September 19, 2020

Like the gospel of John, the book of 1 John is filled with sharp contrasts: light and darkness, truth and falsehood, love and hate. In John’s mind, things are fairly black and white with little if any grey area. In refreshingly simple terms, John writes his first epistle in order to give the people of God a better understanding of how they can know that they are saved, how they can tell the difference between true and false believers. He calls the church to be in a state of continual growth in faith, in obedience, and in love; let’s heed that call together as a church as we read this letter!

In the closing chapter to his first epistle, John revisits many of the themes he has addressed in the earlier chapters. He reiterates that the only trustworthy expression of love for God is to obey His commandments, and he goes further in saying that obeying God’s commandments is a demonstration of Christian love towards one another as well. John tells us here that we participate in Christ’s own victory and triumph over the world through our faith in Him, and that is very good news for us!

John ends his letter in a way that almost seems random: he commands his audience to keep themselves from idols. What does this have to do with the rest of what he is trying to say in the letter?

While John writes the letter in order to affirm the faith of his readers as well as to give them tests to discern the marks of a true believer versus a false believer, throughout the letter the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ rings out loudly. To John, Jesus is at the forefront of everything for the true believer, and all those who claim faith yet deny this fact either in word or in deed are of the devil!

Jesus has to be foremost in all our affections, all our attention, all our worship. We keep ourselves from idols because God will not suffer any competition for the worship, allegiance, and devotion of our hearts. We must be fully surrendered to Him and Him alone!

1 John 5

Overcoming the World

5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Testimony Concerning the Son of God

6 This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

That You May Know

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.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Family Discussion Question:

  • What are some things that might compete with God for your affections or devotion? How does the promise of overcoming the world by your faith in Christ shape the way you battle idolatry in your life?

9 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-September 19th”

  1. Good morning LORD,

    Thank you, Father, for another day. Help me to see you in all things, and to tell everyone that you love them so much.

    May I let go of me and grab more of you today.

    Along the way this day, may you be pleased with all I think, say and do.

    Protect my family, my friends and bless them as only you can. Be with us in our struggles with life. Let each know: it will be O.K. Strengthen us to resist the evil one.

    Father God, you are my LORD and I worship you and serve you.

    Who am I that you call me your son? It is only because I accept Jesus Christ as my savior.

    Speak through me this day the story of your son, and may a lost soul accept the good news.

    For it is in the Jesus Christ I pray,

    Amen

    1. Gracias mi padre amado por el privilegio de conocerte gracias por tu gran amor hacia todos nosotros gracias por hoy gracias por mi familia gracias porque sin ti mi vida no tiene sentido ayúdame a adorarte en todo momento a buscar más de ti lléname de tú espíritu santo bendice mi familia mi nación y que todo el mundo sepa que tú eres un Dios de gloria nuestro médico celestial el Dios omnipotente que todo lo puede gracias mi Dios por todo lo que haces y harás en mi vida y la de mi familia gracias porque tuya es la gloría en nombre y por amor a tu hijo amado amén ?

  2. Dear Lord, it is by your Grace and love that we are not consumed by our idolatry of things that should be put under your feet. We confess our sins of selfish desires and fleshly needs. Please help us as we battle the flesh and the world as we struggle to give you your rightful place in our lives.
    Lord you reign supreme in our hearts, but at times are unable to do what our hearts desire. As your word says, If we do not continue in prayer and watching we will fall into temptations. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
    Strength en us with inner power and focus Lord Jesus help us to please you only in our daily lives. In your precious name we pray Amen.

  3. Father thank you for your Word, that as David said it is a lamp unto our feet and light for our path. Help us to honor you in all that we say and do today. We need you every hour, minute, and second. We love you Lord♥️
    In Jesus name, amen.

    1. AMEN and HALLELUJAH.!!! I totally agree with John. Without the Lord your God we have nothing. In Jesus name, Amen??????

  6. Only you Lord, deserve worship. I reject all other created things that distract me from the life you have planned for me. Thank you Jesus for loving me and allowing me to be in relationship with you, the Father and for sending the Spirit to work in me.

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