Verse 5:3 boils down the Bible into a simple action:
You see, to love God means that we
keep His commands, and His commands don’t weigh us down.
This becomes delicate balance between what are “His commands”
and what are overly burdensome rules in the Hebraic Law. Many look at the first
5 books of the Bible as “His commands” while others consider “love” as the key
since that is what Jesus said. Many, like myself, believe the Ten Commandments
are “His commands” and therefore those as what we keep. If you think about it,
the Ten Commandments are actually a perfect law which requires nothing else.
Also it is the only part of the Bible that was inscribed by God’s own hand,
whereas everything else was “inspired” text.
Verse 5:18 is one of those verses I wish I could say is 100%
true:
We all know that everyone fathered
by God will not make sin a way of life because God protects His
children from the evil one, and the evil one can’t touch them.
This would be wonderful, we accept Jesus as our savior and
we are free from sin. Those who have been Christians for some time know
phrases, like “backsliding”, that describe what happens on our walk. Sometimes
we go way off track and blow up lives and marriages because the “evil one” has
taken a foothold in our lives. Porn and lascivious living seems to be the most
common detractors of those of faith. Today it’s dangerous to venture into our
own offices with the internet. The amount of popup and spam one gets on porn
and get rich quick schemes is mindboggling.
Because of this it’s critical to dive into the Bible and
prayer daily!! I can personally say when I drift my life drifts also; when I
remain focused things tend to be clear. I am not saying being in tune with
Christ is the Easy Button, but rather the ups and downs become understandable.
You see how trials build our faith and develop character necessary for life.
Heck, this is still happening 40 years after being saved and I expect it will
continue to my grave. There is nothing in the Bible that says otherwise, no
matter what “Creflo Dollar” says.
John ends with verse 5:21 and a warning that we need to heed
today:
My little children, keep away from
idols.
In today’s world we don’t have obvious pagan idols like
golden cows or statues of Baal, but ours are sports cars, homes and material
stuff. We idolize the actors and musicians wanting to be like them no matter
how raunchy they may get. There are a litany of teen “sweet hearts” that as
they grow older become tramps. So as parents we say look at this nice girl and
then reject them as they change, that sends mixed signals to our children.
Also, as adults we get wrapped up in the material things of
life. It becomes “keeping up with the Jones” and not diving into God’s word.
The computer and internet that was supposed to make life simpler has made the
family meal a joke as dad is answering work emails, mom is chatting with
friends and the kids are lost in their PDA’s such that no one talks. We have
lost the personal touch and now worship that iThing.
Ironically through all this the ancient symbols like
the Asherah pole pop up in our local parks without question. I look at Suwanee
Town Center and see three of them with 4 balls supporting them in the park,
intersecting the ovals which resemble an owl. Sure it’s appears benign, but I
often wonder if there are underlying demonic attachments there. Simple symbols
and idols are now considered art and although not worship provides a demonic
undertone in society we ignore. See this warning is more critical that we
actually realize!!