WORD From The Woods
1 John 5:13-21
“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. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 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.
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. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. 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.
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 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. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
This passage is the close of the letter of 1 John. The letter was written to correct false doctrine and affirm the message of gospel and the foundations of the Christian faith. In this closing statement, John reminds the reader that we have assurance of our salvation based on all the things he was writing to them about. And, confidence in Christ that He hears our prayers. John says that if we ask anything according to His will, it will be done. Remember, when Jesus prayed to the Father, “your Kingdom come, your will be done.” John isn’t telling us that Jesus is a magic genie that will grant our every wish. He’s teaching us to seek the will of God in everything we ask in prayer. John mentions different kinds of sin, some leading even to death, the point there, is that sin has consequences, some are even immediately deadly! We should pray that God leads us and those around us out of sin and into a closer walk with Christ. He’s not saying that the Christian is completely without sin, but that one who is a Christian, who has been born of God, does not continue in a lifestyle of sin and rebellion against God. The ways of the evil one are lies, sin and rebellion, the ways of God are things like truth, righteousness, love, and justice. The fruit of a persons life will be evidence of which way they are going. There is no in between, no middle ground, you are going one way or the other! God is the one true God, Christ is King of Kings, in Him is eternal life!
God Bless and have a great week! -Terry-
1 John 5:13-21
“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. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 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.
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. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. 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.
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 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. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
This passage is the close of the letter of 1 John. The letter was written to correct false doctrine and affirm the message of gospel and the foundations of the Christian faith. In this closing statement, John reminds the reader that we have assurance of our salvation based on all the things he was writing to them about. And, confidence in Christ that He hears our prayers. John says that if we ask anything according to His will, it will be done. Remember, when Jesus prayed to the Father, “your Kingdom come, your will be done.” John isn’t telling us that Jesus is a magic genie that will grant our every wish. He’s teaching us to seek the will of God in everything we ask in prayer. John mentions different kinds of sin, some leading even to death, the point there, is that sin has consequences, some are even immediately deadly! We should pray that God leads us and those around us out of sin and into a closer walk with Christ. He’s not saying that the Christian is completely without sin, but that one who is a Christian, who has been born of God, does not continue in a lifestyle of sin and rebellion against God. The ways of the evil one are lies, sin and rebellion, the ways of God are things like truth, righteousness, love, and justice. The fruit of a persons life will be evidence of which way they are going. There is no in between, no middle ground, you are going one way or the other! God is the one true God, Christ is King of Kings, in Him is eternal life!
God Bless and have a great week! -Terry-