John wrote to encourage believers to stand strong in the midst of opposition, to hold firmly to the truth of God’s Word; he wrote to encourage followers of Jesus Christ to be fully obedient to the Lord in all things, and to give no license to sin; he wrote to give them the full assurance of their salvation, that they could know beyond doubt they were God’s children. He concludes his letter with what may initially appear to be a bit odd, as he appears to introduce a new thought. Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5.21). Rather than being an oddity, this is more correctly seen as a summary. Any choice of a believer to follow false teaching, to turn from the full truth of Scriptures, to follow in known sin is following idols. In choosing to believe something other than the truth of God’s Word, to follow the ideas of man or the impulses of the flesh, is following an idol and lifts another teaching, another person, one’s self, or thoughts and emotions above God’s Word.
We must ever be careful not to fall into the idolater’s trap. It can be so easy; we can be so quickly led astray; we can choose to follow our emotions and what feels good or right, while neglecting the truth and standard God has established. In considering some of John’s main points, do we love ourselves above others? For this is elevating ourselves and making ourselves into an idol. Do we ignore parts of God’s Word to make it more palatable for our lifestyle? For this is making an idol out of what we want to do, what we desire, or what may be enjoyable to us. Do we replace portions of God’s Word with what sounds pleasing to us and is more acceptable in today’s culture? For then we lift another teaching up and make it an idol. The certain way to be kept from the spreading disease of idolatry is to stay firmly planted in the Word of God, believing God is always truthful, and submitting ourselves to Him in full obedience.
Resisting all idols – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry
My Morning Desk 