(Chap. 5:18-21)
John concludes by reiterating some of the grand truths that he has touched on in the epistle. In summing things up, he mentions three items in particular—each beginning with the words “we know” (“oida”):
(Vs. 18)
Firstly, “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not” (vs. 18). We learn from this that even though there are many antichristian teachers at work, sowing their seeds of evil in men, they cannot thwart God’s work in souls. Those in whom God has wrought have been born of God, and thus, they have a new life and nature that cannot sin (chap. 3:9). By living in the good of that life, in fellowship with the Father and the Son (the essence of life eternal – John 17:33And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3)), it is not possible for the wicked one to influence the believer, because the new life will not respond to his evil overtures. Thus, regardless of how dark these last days may get and how spiritually perilous the times may be, Christians are still able to live godly lives for the glory of God. We, therefore, have no excuse for not going on well for the Lord.
(Vs. 19)
Secondly, John says: “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the wicked one” (vs. 19). Using the proofs and counter-proofs that John has given in the epistle, we are able to identify those who are real believers and those who are false. Not only do “we know that we are of God,” but we also know those who are of the world and under the power of “the wicked one.” This affords us with a clear understanding as to whom we should walk with (2 Tim. 2:2222Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22)) and whom we should avoid (2 Tim. 3:1-51This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:1‑5)).
(Vs. 20)
Thirdly, to be sure of not leaving them with uncertainty regarding the truth of the Person of Christ (which was under assault from the false teachers – chaps. 2:22-23; 4:1-3), John states: “We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we might know Him that is true, and we are in Him who is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and life eternal” (vs. 20 – W. Kelly Translation). In saying this, John has brought us back to the point at which he started the epistle—the incarnation of Christ. With the coming of Christ, there has been a full revelation of the Father and the Son. John calls this an “understanding.” As a result, through faith we are able to have a living relationship with “Him that is true.” John then states emphatically that God’s Son, “Jesus Christ,” is “the true God and life eternal.” This confirms His deity and the fact that He is the personification of Life Eternal.
(Vs. 21)
John ends the epistle in a rather unusual fashion. He gives no closing salutations, nor is there any mention of God’s grace being wished upon the saints, as Paul and Peter do in their epistles. (“Amen,” in the KJV, should not be in the text.) Instead, he gives a warning exhortation: “Children, keep yourselves from idols.” John is not referring to literal objects of veneration that the heathen make out of wood and stone, etc., but to the principle of idolatry. An idol, in principle, is anything that captures our hearts’ affections and displaces Christ from His rightful place there. It could be a hobby, a recreation, a sport, a pursuit in business, etc. Whatever the interest is, if it engulfs our attention, our time, and our energy—it is an idol. A characteristic feature of idolatry is that the one engaged therein becomes blinded to it (Psa. 115:4-84Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. 5They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: 6They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: 7They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. 8They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. (Psalm 115:4‑8)). It steals our hearts away, and we don’t know it! Let us, therefore, heed John’s warning.