Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Wednesday, October 15, 1 John 5:21, part 2

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (KJV)

"Dear children, keep yourselves from idols." (NIV)

Another passage that reveals idols within our lives is "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; but if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:6-7)

We have seen in John 3, that Jesus said: "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil." (19)

We found that, even after the Millennium, with Christ in His 1000-year reign, there are still progeny of the originally saved Tribulation saints who, even seeing Christ as Lord, love their sin more than the Light. So much so that "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, God and Magog, to gather them together in battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about and the beloved city: and fire came down and devoured them." (Revelation 20:7-9)

Loving their sin. Loving darkness over light. The idols of their hearts. This is the sin of Adam and Eve. They tried to make themselves gods. They ignored God's standards and made their own. Creating "their own truth", so to speak. Knowing good and evil and choosing evil over good. And their own truth was the darkness of their sin.

Lovers of their own selves: In 2 Timothy 3, Paul listed many qualities of those who love darkness rather than light: "lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2-5)

Sounds a lot like our world, right? It is not unique to us, but for any who love their darkness rather than light. John wrote in chapter 2: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." (15-16)

And this is the idol. Abiding in yourself instead of God. And this is the result of it: "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." (17)

It's interesting that the next passage, if you recall, brings up the "spirit of antichrist". And then it follows with the antidote: abiding in the Holy Spirit. And that, no one needs to teach you about, if you're born again. You know the Holy Spirit. You know Him deeper than you know yourself, if you are born again.

A true believer knows the fragility of this life, and the deception of the fallen heart. And the answer is abiding—abiding in the One who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. And the proof of this abiding is reflected in the love of God instead of love of Self. An idol that we will review tomorrow.

In the meantime, as you contemplate these verses, is the Light convicting you in a cleansing way? It is the Holy Spirit calling you to repent. If you are already His child, you will know this and abhor your sin. And He will cleanse you and give you peace.

If the Light is convicting you and you see your wretchedness for the first time, He is calling you to repent, and to give you a New Birth. You see the vanity of this life of darkness, and see no way out. But there is a way, and Christ made that way. Fall upon His mercy and He will save you! And you can "walk in the light, as He is in the Light."

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

*Scriptures from the KJV unless noted*

Memory Helps:

"Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." (KJV)

Another day to review. It would be beneficial to read through 1 John again, and "wise up" by noting the many cut-and-dry warnings he gives us. Each reading will bring new "light" to you as the Holy Spirit reveals more and more treasure to store into your heart.