2. The First Epistle of John Certainties of the Christian Faith 1 John 5:18-21

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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