1 John 5:18-21 (Christ Is Truth)

Chapter 5

Verses 18-21:

"We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."

I was talking to a man on campus last semester, from the "Holiness" movement (link). If you read the decription on the link you will find that the believe in a thing called "entire sanctification" or "perfectionists." Now these people and others like him (you may know pastor Bob (OSU) or brother Gary (OU)), believe that when the Bible says something like, "we know that whoever is born of God does not sin..." (cf. 3:6), they take this to a very extreme disposition, wherein they believe that once one is born again he never sins again, if he does he has lost his salvation and must get it back (another matter I won't even touch right now).

Looking back over the chapter one would have to conclude that the Apostle is making contradictions if this is the case. Calvin on the matter:

"If you suppose that God's children are wholly pure and free from all sin, as the fanatics contend, then the Apostle is inconsistent with himself; for he would thus have take away mustual prayer among brethren (v.16). Then he says that those sin not who do not wholly fall away from the grace of God; heance he inferred that prayer ought to be made for all the children of God, because the sin not unto death. A proof is added, that 'he who has been born of God keeps himself,' that is, keeps himself in the fear of God; nor does he suffer himself to be so led away, as to lose all sense of religion, and to surrender himself wholly to the devil and the flesh.
When he says, that 'the wicked one does not touch him,' reference is made to a deadly wound; for the children of God do not remain untouched by the assaults of Satan, but they ward off his strokes by the shield of faith, so that they do not penetrate into the heart. Hence spiritual life is never extinguished in them. This is not to sin." (Calvin's Commentaries on 1 John, pg.270-271)

You find that those who believe this will not have the easiest times explaining away verses in this chapter such as: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us"(1:8), "if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (2:1b), "If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death"(5:16a). Though don't get me wrong they have their well formulated proof texting techniques and arguments.

Further, "The present tense of the Greek suggests behavior that is characteristic or usual. In this way John acknowledges, but does not excuse, occasional sin"(Reformation Study Bible).

Verse 19 is admonishment, that the "word lies under the sway of the wicked one." But that "we are of God," so while the world will try to lead us astray from God, we must so highly value or calling that it will not be a hindrance or a distraction. "Under the sway" is the reality of what condition this world lies in, apart from divine intervention there is no hope to defeating the devil's temptations or traps. All are in bondage to their sinful nature (Romans 6:17) and are under the sway of the devil (Ephesians 2:2).

As I said, no one can break lose of their sinful nature or overcome the temptations without divine help. The next verse makes that clear, "we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ." Jesus set us free of that bondage and slavery to sin and has made us to be slaves of righteousness, able to be conformed to His image.

"This is the true God, and eternal life." Once again touching on the fact that there is no eternal life apart from Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ = Eternal Life, you could almost use the words synonymously.

Verse 21, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." With the preceding doctrines being true, that the "world is under the sway of the wicked one," and that we "know Him who is true," and we are "of God." Then this makes it clear, "keep yourselves from idols," from the world and false hopes and gods, focus your attention always on the Lord Jesus.

He is your calling, He is your Advocate, the Propitiation, the Word, the Truth. He is love, He is eternal life. He has overcome the world, overcome the wicked one, forgiven your sins. He is Son of God, come in the flesh. Because of Him we have all hope, and apart from Him there is no hope.

Trust in Christ, trust in God, confess your sins, love your brothers and sisters. And in the end give all glory to the God of heaven and earth, who has shown us this mercy, "not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son"(4:10). So then:

"Keep yourselves from idols..." and praise God for this love.

"Amen."

Citation:
*Calvins Commentaries on 1 John
*NKJV Reformation Study Bible

Also I want to thank Logan West for his comments while I have been going through this study. They have been encouraging and helpful, thanks alot.