John points out several truths that we should know as he concludes this book. The first is a promise to behold and identifies why he wrote this book he in the first place. He says, “I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.” As believers of Jesus as the Son of God, we have eternal life. It’s a promise of a life devoted to Jesus that never ends.
What is your response to that truth? How does it make you feel? Take some time to just let that one promise resonate with your soul. Eternal life with Jesus. For me, that’s a feeling of peace and security.
These short paragraphs are full of other tips and promises. One that is particularly encouraging is that God hears our prayers. How many times have you prayed feeling like you had truly been heard? How many more times have you prayed, trusting in God at first, yet you let the doubts creep in when no answer was received? We sometimes sabotage our own prayers with our limiting beliefs. God is way bigger than any problem or circumstance. So why do we put limitations on God? John tells us “we also know that he will give us what we ask for.”
What else do we know? We know that God’s children don’t make a “practice” of sinning. That’s true. We don’t try to sin or get up each day with a plan to sin, do we? It’s not like we want to get better at sinning, as in “practicing” the piano. Sin isn’t something we want to be known for as in “practicing” medicine or having a law “practice.” As God’s children, we are unfortunately sinful, but not on purpose or because we want to be.
We know that the Son of God has come. Jesus has come. As a tiny baby in a Bethlehem stable, Jesus made his first human appearance. What a humble beginning for a king. As I write this, we are in the season of Advent, preparing for the coming of our infant King. We celebrate Jesus’ incarnation at Christmas, but we also know his promised return is imminent.
We know the true God because of what Jesus did, how he lived, what he taught us. We can see so much into the will of the Father by watching and learning from Jesus’ teachings. We can now live in fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. We don’t ever need to feel alone or abandoned.
There are so many perks to being a child of God. The Book of 1 John has been a great reminder to us exactly how blessed we are. We have a God who loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. Because of Jesus, we have accessibility to the Father as well. We never have to feel alone again.
Let’s pray. Lord, I come to you on bended knee today feeling especially close to you. You answer my prayers in ways I had not even asked. You know what’s best for me. I know that you are in control of all things. Forgive me when I try and take control. I know better, it doesn’t work. May I be in alignment with your plans for me. Use me, God. Let’s make a difference in this dark world together. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
