1st John 5:20. “And we know the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” AN UNDERSTANDING. Between those who know each other, there comes an understanding that follows the period of getting acquainted. To meet a person, is to learn their name, and a number of things about them. We may learn where they are from, some family connections, occupational information the first time we meet. Then comes the developing of a relationship depending on the degree we know each other. Some things we learn indicate by body language, tone of voice or other visual and verbal way what is important to that person.
To gain “an understanding” of another person is dependent entirely on how much they are willing to trust me. It may depend on how trustworthy I have been toward them. The time comes when “an understanding” is in place between the two because of mutual trust, similar interest and an emotional connection that leads to the openness of love.
To think that the Son of God in all the supremacy of His person, the holiness that characterizes His personality, the loftiness of His many offices, the eternity of His Person, nature and character – and yet He has given us “an understanding”, goes beyond all other relationships that I might have. He has initiated this understanding. He has given this understanding. His reason for doing so is that I might know Him. He is letting Himself be known by such a lowly, unworthy person as me.
Even beyond knowing Him comes another reason that goes even farther; that I might be placed in Him. He places us in the sphere of His influence and interests; in His very family of the redeemed as a child of God. He gives me “an understanding” that I might be involved in the operations of His kingdom as a participant in the most meaningful work in the world. We have reached the point of “an understanding.”
“It is true, isn’t it, Father, that You know what I think as well as what I say? I really believe this. So if sometimes when I am lying in the dark on the bed in the morning or late at night, trying not to disturb Linda or any others for that matter; and I only say a word in my mind like, “Newfoundland,” “Tri-cities,” “the children,” “Gander,” or other words like that without a whole lot of words around it – you do know what I mean because we have “an understanding.” Sometimes things go racing through my mind and I do believe You can accept them as an unexpressed prayer. I offer them a lot of times and find great comfort that this “understanding” comes from You. Thanks, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
We are in Him as members of His body, and are accepted by God in Him positionally, legally, and personally. This eternal life is in God, and eternal life is in God's children. The Gnostics of the past, the agnostics of the present and all unbelievers do not know "the true God" and do not have eternal life.
John, as an aging mature saint of God, has a genuine heart of compassion for the Lord's dear people. Again, he addresses them as "little children," or "dear children," who are very important to him. He began the epistle that they might know who Christ is, how they could have joy, and how they could have fellowship with God by walking in the light. Now he gives them the important obligation to "keep themselves from idols." We are responsible to guard ourselves against anything that would take the place of God in our lives.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, keeps us so Satan will not capture us, but we have our own responsibility to avoid, reject and guard ourselves from anything in the world that would capture our minds. False teaching attacks the mind. We must keep ourselves from listening to it. Physical and mental images that take a hold on our minds have the ability to turn us aside from walking in the light. It is not so much idols formed by men's hands that attracts the minds in this part of the world, but the more insidious idols that cannot be seen or touched.
There are some forms of nature that people venerate such as "mother earth;" the sun, moon and stars; sun worshippers and those environmentalists often worship the creature and creation, not the Creator. Those who succumb to the strange teaching of evolution that defies reasonable and rational thinking, have made themselves the god they worship. They reject openly their responsibility to an all-powerful, all-knowing, all- present God who is the Supreme Authority. He made it. It is His no matter what evolutionists may say. He is the "True God."
Some forms of idolatry common to those who reject God are the idol of education. They think all answers to man's problems and the issues of life are in knowledge gained by education. They worship knowledge. Others worship materialism. Even though they have all they need and more than they can ever use, they keep wanting more. "Things and success" are their idol. Economic materialism is what they worship. Some people worship nature. Pantheism has a new name now, "New Age." Trees, animals, the environment itself and the world is their idol. Some call "the wide-open spaces" as their objects of worship.
John concludes the epistle with a clear presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ as he has throughout the whole letter. Our Lord is the central theme of Christian teaching, preaching and living. He came from heaven to earth, sent by the Father to be the Savior of the world. Through faith in Him we are given eternal life. Now we, the children of God, are given the strength by the Spirit of God to do the will of God from the heart.
There are some "Things of God" in 1st John that will help us remember who He is and live for Him, and who we are and what He has the right to expect of His children. The Word of God [2:14; 5:9] is the basis of all authority. This is the witness of God that we might "know" what He wants us to know; that we might be enlightened as to what is expected of God's children; and that we might be equipped to do it. The Love of God [2:5; 4:9; 5:3] is the secret of all godliness. The power of love is given that might mature consistently; live abundantly; serve effectively and walk obediently.
The Will of God [2:17] is the fulfillment of heaven's plans through people. His will is that we might abide in Him, now and eternally. The Children of God [3:1,2,10; 5:2] identifies the relationship of all privilege. This relationship is formed that we might be identified specifically; conduct ourselves righteously; serve others faithfully and live confidently.
The Son of God [3:8; 4:15; 5:5,10,12,13,20] is the center of all revelation. he was revealed openly; He is to be confessed by us openly; He is to be lived out openly; He is revealed to us inwardly; He is personal to us inwardly and He is known by us personally. Being Born of God [3:9; 5:1,4] is the source of all life. We have been born of God that we might live sinlessly; live lovingly and live victoriously. The Spirit of God [4:2; 5:9], who is the witness of God is the power of all ability. By virtue of being born of the Spirit of God, we are able top serve God continually and watchfully.