1 John 5:13-21 (ESV)
7/13/2025
He uses the phrase “we know” several times. He is describing things we Christians know. John summarizes things he’s told us already, things that we as Christians should know. The knowledge that binds us together. And now that we’re all on the same page, there are certain things we can move on to. We’ve got the foundation, now John begins to move to some nuanced theology.
John’s writing style is cyclical and meant to build on itself. But he’s been spiraling toward something, toward some themes he wants to leave us with and we’ll read that today.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
• Our text last week told us the letter is written to “those who believe”, and here we see the reason this whole thing is written is “so you may know that you have eternal life”.
• God gives us this letter for the assurance of our salvation, so we can know for certain of our salvation.
• That knowledge by itself is yet another gift from God. It’s one thing to have it, it’s another for God to mercifully put us at ease, for us to know that we are saved from our old selves and our sin nature.
14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
• John continues on his theme of confidence; we have confidence in our prayers.
• John tells us about the power and purpose of prayer. This is a theme we haven’t seen much of. Ch 3:22 we get a small reference to it “whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him”
• A non-believer would be inclined to think this feels awful cheap. Cool so if I ask God for what He wants, I’ll get it? Sure… sounds pretty rigged to me.
• It’s only cheap if you’ve been told prayer is like a genie in a bottle. If that’s your expectation you’ll be disappointed. God is not merely a wish granter.
• Prayer is an alignment, not a wish list. Look at the Lord’s prayer as the model. Give me the food I need. Forgive me my sins, and give me the capacity to forgive others. Help keep me away from sin, and help me lean on you for everything I need.
• Sometime we get what we ask for, but the greater gift is to have your mind transformed to be more Christlike. To think more like God, what better gift is there??
• How much better are our lives when we are made more in to the image of God, compared to just getting what we think we want and need.
16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.
• This is a little complicated and nuanced, we’ll take it slow. My biggest takeaway from this section of text is that we have a responsibility to our brothers.
• Next, this passage brings up a new idea: not all sin is the same.
• All sin has a common thread: it separates us from God, it is a crime against his law. All sin makes us imperfect but it is not all equal. Some sin is sticky, habit forming.
• But the biggest distinction I think John is making is some sin is repented of, some is not.
• I think that’s what he means by sin that leads to death.
• Death is separation from God, so this must mean unrepentant, habitual sin.
• 1 John 3:10 “whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God”.
18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
• We’ve arrived at the conclusion, the reason for my message title and what I hope we can all take away from our teaching of 1 John. Let’s examine some things we know…
• The very end, “keep yourself from idols”, can feel out of left field, abrupt and disjointed from the sum of it all, but I don’t think so. I don’t think John is accidental with any of his words. It’s the last thing he says, gotta be important. Don’t settle for the cheap stuff.
• We are left with a warning that to live with anything else as lord over our lives is to reject the understanding Jesus gives us. To idolize anything else is to deny God his rightful throne in our hearts, and turn away from understanding. Don’t give an inch.
summary
some reminders of themes throughout the letter:
• Ch 3:28 commands us to believe in Jesus and love our brothers and sisters
• Ch 5:3 tells us His commands are easy
• And our key verse from today, 5:13, the purpose of this letter is to assure us of our faith
Application:
We are assured of our salvation
– What does the life of a believer who is certain of their faith look like?
– Are they afraid of what their coworkers think of them? Their parents?
Prayer posture is important
– Do I have the right view of prayer? Do my prayers reflect what God wants or what I want
We petition for our brothers and sisters
– Do I love my brothers and sisters so much that I spend my coveted time with God interceding on their behalf?
We are not under the control of the enemy
– When we know that, how can I still make excuses for my sin? When we know the enemy has been defeated, you and I boldly reject the chains of sin that have been broken by the blood of Jesus!
Jesus came so that we might know him
– We can know all these things by knowing Him. Are we making it a priority?
– There are a lot of “we know” statements. There are too many to put on the screen. But I want to draw your attention to them. If you’ve got the notebook, go through and circle all of them. It is a great thing to use as a prayer and meditation guide.