The Love Letter of John: 5 – How To Avoid Idolatry

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:21)

The end of the love letter of John to the church is rather abrupt and can appear to come from nowhere.

After all, he has been outlining the importance of faith in the Son, living in the Son, accepting the testimony about Jesus Christ being the Son of God because it comes from God.

There is then the affirmation that if we are in the true God we can ask anything according to His will and He will do it for us. Christ Himself is there to ensure we are protected from the evil one.

So where does the keeping yourselves from idols come in?

The entirety of the love letter of John has depicted what it is to walk in the Light, believe in the Son and the Father and contrast that with the world and the things of the world. The alternative of faith in the Son and eternal life is to submit to idolatry.

The positive on that is to avoid idolatry of any sort – and we are subtly influenced into idolatry every day – here are some key reminders. We are loved of God; we are children of God and we have eternal life because of that intimate faith in the Son. That faith is fleshed out in being like the Son. That life is characterised by loving obedience to the commands of God. That loving obedience is evidenced in life full of love for brothers and sisters.

That love life for God, full of faith in the Son can help us not just shun idolatry but highlight to the world where eternal life can be found.

For the love of God let us continue in the faith.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden