I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.
I John 5:18 ESV
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.
Some comments based on the John Gill's commentary:
That person born of God is regenerated by His Spirit and grace. He is quickened by His power. Christ is formed in him and he is made a partaker of the divine nature - based on every grace implanted in him.
When you consider this list of characteristics that the child of God enjoys, you can see how the believer is strengthened against sin and protected from the evil one. Even though he 'does not keep on sinning' as a routine practice, there will still be occasions of sin in his life. But he will not live in sin, nor will he stay under the power and dominion of sin. This is clearly how a believer can enjoy the power of the Holy Spirit in a way that the unsaved person will never know.
'He who was born of God'. The Vulgate Latin reads, "the generation of God keeps or preserves him"; that is, that which is born in him, the new man, the principle of grace, or seed of God in him. Think of the 'generation of God' as that which eminates from God. This translation keeps the focus on God's preserving grace imparted to the believer.
No man can keep himself by how his own power and strength. God only is the keeper of His people, and they are only kept safe whom He keeps, and it is by His power they are kept. But the other sense of this passage is that the believer keeps himself by seeking out and relying on God's grace offered in His promises. God is the source and the ultimate victory, but yet God places an expectation upon His people to avail themselves of that grace.
The wicked one, Satan, cannot come and wound to the heart, or destroy that principle of life within him. Satan may tempt him, and sift him and buffet him, and greatly afflict and grieve him - even so, Satan is limited by the hand of our loving Heavenly Father. The saints know their perseverance from the promises of God and the declarations of Christ.
We know that the child of God is alive in God, and enabled by His grace to have victory in the battle. If we are following the commander, wearing the armor and relying on Him, then we can be secure and confident that God will be our sovereign protector.
God Bless You,
Dennis
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Security: Grace and Mercy in Time of Need
I can find grace and mercy in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 ESV
16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
First a few comments on the context of this verse. If we go back to verse 12, we are told that the Word of God is living and active, able to cut into the very deepest part of our being. Verse 13 tells us that no creature is hidden from the eyes of God. Every aspect of our life and being is available for his scrutiny - and judgment, for to Him we must give account.
Verses 14 and 15 talk about our great high priest who is now established in heaven, but yet this same high priest can fully empathize with us. He was fully tempted and yet did not sin.
First there is God's Word to faithfully show us who God is and who we really are. Then we see the sovereign God watching and knowing everything about us. God's Son Jesus conquered the cross and death and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, yet He knows our struggle here below.
If you approach the throne of grace with a sincere heart, and come believing and trusting in only the blood of Jesus Christ your Savior, then you need not be alarmed at the Sovereign God who holds people accountable for their sin; for the blood of Jesus has removed all of your sin, and you now wear the robe of His righteousness.
There is grace and mercy at the Father's throne. This is not grace and mercy to merely solve our problems, which it does, but grace and mercy so that we may enjoy a true heart to heart relationship with our loving Heavenly Father.
No matter the sin, the believer is confident that the blood of Jesus can cover that sin. The barrier is gone - run to the throne!
God Bless You,
Dennis
Hebrews 4:16 ESV
16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
First a few comments on the context of this verse. If we go back to verse 12, we are told that the Word of God is living and active, able to cut into the very deepest part of our being. Verse 13 tells us that no creature is hidden from the eyes of God. Every aspect of our life and being is available for his scrutiny - and judgment, for to Him we must give account.
Verses 14 and 15 talk about our great high priest who is now established in heaven, but yet this same high priest can fully empathize with us. He was fully tempted and yet did not sin.
First there is God's Word to faithfully show us who God is and who we really are. Then we see the sovereign God watching and knowing everything about us. God's Son Jesus conquered the cross and death and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, yet He knows our struggle here below.
If you approach the throne of grace with a sincere heart, and come believing and trusting in only the blood of Jesus Christ your Savior, then you need not be alarmed at the Sovereign God who holds people accountable for their sin; for the blood of Jesus has removed all of your sin, and you now wear the robe of His righteousness.
There is grace and mercy at the Father's throne. This is not grace and mercy to merely solve our problems, which it does, but grace and mercy so that we may enjoy a true heart to heart relationship with our loving Heavenly Father.
No matter the sin, the believer is confident that the blood of Jesus can cover that sin. The barrier is gone - run to the throne!
God Bless You,
Dennis
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