27th June 2024

27th June 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (1 John 5v13-21)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


It wasn't for nothing that John wrote his letter. As 1 John draws to a close, we see John's reminder that he wrote so his hearers would know that they have everlasting life (v13). Why would they need such a reminder? Because they were surrounded by false teachers who were set on undermining the faith. These individuals taught that Christ hadn't come in the flesh, they denied the Father's work and they saw no need for obedience in the Christian life.


John spoke clearly to the church in the face of falsehood and stressed that they could be confident in the faith they professed. How so? By knowing that when a Christian prays for anything in accordance with the will of God, He both hears us and blesses us with what we need (v14-15). This doesn't mean that we can ask God to make us rich and He'll immediately fill our bank account. Instead, we pray rightly when we ask for God's will to be done and His desire is for our growth in holiness. The child of God has access to the throne of grace and by this almighty privilege we can know that we have been saved. 


Secondly, the Christian can be sure of salvation by seeing a work of sanctification in their lives (v18). Anyone who is truly born of God does not delight in their sin and make a practice of it. This isn't to say that a Christian will be sinless. I have said multiple times in these devotions that we are at the same time justified and sinful. The Christian will not be free from sin on this side of heaven but while we are here, we are to wage war against our sin (mortification) and desire holiness (sanctification). God will protect us in this life and the evil one will not pluck us from the Lord's hand. By this we can know that we are saved.


Thirdly, the Christian understands the nature of this world. Christians have been born again by God whilst the rest of the world lies in the power of Satan (v19). This knowledge makes us wise as we pilgrim through this life and it causes us to be unsurprised when the world turns it's guns upon the church.


Finally, we can be certain of salvation because Jesus has come and blessed us with spiritual wisdom and understanding (v20). It is because of Christ that we have discerned the truth of the Gospel (v20b). He is truth and we are in Christ by faith. Jesus is the true God and it is only in Jesus that one can enjoy eternal life (v20c). If we have come to trust Christ then it is sure evidence that a supernatural work of God has taken place in our lives.


Brothers and sisters, truth lies in the gutter in this modern age and we are often told that we have believed in vain. It is not true. John's apostolic teaching states that we can know and be sure of salvation. Keep yourself from idols who cannot save (v21) and instead be rooted and grounded in Christ.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q76 Which is the ninth commandment? The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
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