We continue our study of 1 John, picking up at verse 19, of Chapter 5. Writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle John wrote:
“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also 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 by being in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” 1 John 5: 19-20
John says, “the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” This is why we see the chaos and destruction in the world. The starvation of people that could be eliminated if evil leadership would allow food and supplies to go to the people instead of stealing it for themselves. The groups who have armed themselves to kill anyone around the world who does not agree with them because an evil leader has convinced them that they are serving God. Inner city Gangs killing each other with innocent men, women, and children dying in the cross fire. Entire countries facing collapse because of corruption in government. . Innocent babies being destroyed because the law says they can be. And the list goes on of horrible, evil, horrendous things going on in and around the world because the evil one is in control.
But as John points out, we who are in Christ Jesus understand what is going.on. Even though evil is all around us as we make this journey of life because of the fall of one man, truth is ours to walk in because of the redemption brought to us by one man, Christ Jesus. The Lord Jesus said of Himself, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) John is saying here we are in the Father, the true God and eternal life, when we are in His Son Jesus Christ. We understand that this picture of evil winning is but a temporary thing. We understand that we have been given a kingdom here on earth in which to live that takes us above the evil. A spiritual kingdom that has been brought into our soul and all that is within us by the Holy Spirit when we accept Jesus as Lord of our life. We understand that while we cannot control evil around the world, we can control how we live our life by giving Jesus control, and by walking in His truth and faith and grace, and love, and light. As we do that we are blessed to be a blessing to those in our world.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, precious children of God.
Poppa B.