TAKING A LOOK AT 1 JOHN

“We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Sons holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.”- 1 John 5:18-19 NLT

            John first speaks of the security believers in Christ have. Though it is not literal, but rather figurative, we can honestly say that God holds us in the hollow of his hand. It should be an immense comfort to know that nothing can harm us. 

            It has always been my understanding that Satan can only have his way if God allows it, like it says in the beginning of Job. There are those who say Job isn’t real and that it is just an inspirational story, but Ezekiel 14:14, 20 and James 5:11 mention Job as a historical character. Other evidence lies in his name being mentioned both times with Noah and Daniel’s names. Why would they do that if Job weren’t real? I mention Job to attempt to prove my point that while there is no doubt we are held firmly in the grasp of our God, at times I believe God allows certain things to happen to us as a means of helping to mature us spiritually.

            I appreciate John saying with certainty that believers in Christ “do not make a practice of sinning”. There is the difference, we can ‘sin’ or we can ‘habitually sin’, which is to ‘make it a practice’.  

            Knowing we are God’s children doesn’t make us perfect, though it does make us perfect in God’s sight. Satan is a toothless lion whose roar is superior to his bite. As long as we stick close to the Lord we can rest assured that we will be far less likely to practice sinning and far more likely to be a reflection of the one you are following.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.