The First Epistle of John

Certainties of the Christian Faith

1 John 5:18-21

Introduction

John has taught us about Fellowship with God Sin and the World Eternal Life

Now John summarizes the certainties we should have about each of those areas

Certainties regarding Sin 1 Jn 5:18a

“No one born of God sins” Almost same as 1 Jn 3:9

Like that verse, modern translations say, “everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning” (ESV)

Not that a Christian never sins (1 Jn 1:8,10, 2:1) But while in fellowship with God, we don’t sin

So if we sin we have jeopardized our fellowship with God

We can restore that fellowship (1 Jn 1:9) But we can’t say we are in fellowship with God if we

have unforgiven sins in our lives

Certainties regarding Sin 1 Jn 5:18b

“But he who has been born of God keeps himself” (NKJV)

“But He who has been born of God keeps him” (NASB) 2 different possibilities, 2 different meanings

NASB would say Jesus keeps you from sin Therefore, it relieves you of responsibility A poor translation, the one born of God in 1 John has

not been Jesus (“The Son of God” 1 Jn 5:6), but the believer ( 1 Jn 5:1)

NKJV has the better translation A Christian must keep himself from sin A true child of God WILL keep himself from sin, God

can help, but the responsibility is ours alone

Certainties regarding Sin

1 Jn 5:18c “and the evil one does not touch him”

Here is how God can and will help us keep ourselves from sin

He won’t let Satan overpower us James 4:7-8 1 Cor 10:12-13

The devil can’t make you do anything

Certainties regarding the World

1 Jn 5:19 We are of God

1 Jn 3:1-2 Therefore, we CANNOT be of the world

All the world is under Satan’s sway – Jn 8:42-47 1 Jn 2:15-17

In this world we are at WAR with the devil, and we are BEHIND enemy lines

Jn 16:33, 17:14-18 1 Jn 4:4-5

Certainties regarding Fellowship

1 Jn 5:20 The Son has come and given us understanding of

God Jn 1:18 Jn 14:7-9, 23

“This is the true God and eternal life” John defines what “eternal life” really is

It is to know Him who is true It is to be in fellowship with Him who is true and His

Son 1 Jn 1:2-3 Jn 17:1-3

Conclusion So what can we be certain of?

We know the relationship between those born of God and sin

We know the difference between us and the world We know the basis of fellowship with God and

eternal life 1 Jn 5:21

Idols are anything that interferes with our relationship with God

If there wasn’t danger, he wouldn’t have given warning