“Because We Know…” by Brandi Whaley

Because We Know….

I have always loved the book of First John. I find the principles of encouragement and assurances of salvation in it to be quite invaluable. However, it’s the “we know” statements at the end of chapter 5 that stand out to me and, at times, even bring tears to my eyes.

We are, first, assured in verse 18  that being saved by the transforming power of the God of the Universe results in lives that are actually transformed. The thief no longer steals, the liar tells the truth and the life once bogged down in fear and worry begins to walk in the freedom that can only come through the gift of a new heart.

After this comes the reminder in verse 19 that, as God’s chosen people, we were created to place our faith solely upon the Immovable….the One who never falters, …the Solid Rock that is Christ Jesus. However, we currently reside in a world that is unsteady. It is unstable and will never be able to support the weight of our hopes and expectations because it lies in the power of the evil one.

Finally, verse 20 encourages us with the truth that Christ has indeed come and brought us to a place of understanding. He has poured upon us the grace that allows us to recognize Him as the true God and the only source of Eternal Life. He has given us the understanding that He alone is the Eternal Life we long for.

And then verse 21 comes and wraps it all up.

“Little Children,”  (in light of all that I have told you…in light of all you now know…) 

“Keep yourselves from idols.”

John is making the point that, in consideration of what we now know,  we must take action … and that action is that we keep ourselves from idols.

So what does that even look like? How does idolatry manifest itself in my life and in the lives of other believers? The greater question is, how does it not? Martin Luther once said, and I paraphrase, that if a person could just manage to keep the first two commandments (see below), then he would automatically keep the other eight.

1.Thou shall have no other gods before Me

2. Thou shall not make for yourself an idol

If I steal, it’s because I am believing in my heat that the Lord’s provision is not enough and I must take other things to meet my needs or desires.  If I lie, it’s because I am believing in my heart that the approval of the one I am lying to is of most importance. I cannot trust the Lord to meet my needs so I must handle the matter myself.  When I fail to remember the Sabbath, it’s because I believe I have more important things to do. I place my own wisdom and discernment over that of the all wise, omnipotent Creator.

The thing is, idolatry lies underneath every sin I commit.  Actually, I would even take it a little further and submit to you that all idolatry ultimately terminates upon the god of “self”. 

Tim Keller explains in his book Counterfeit Gods that there are four “source” idols that typically drive our behaviors and desires. These are Power, Comfort, Approval, and Control. From these source idols rooted in our hearts come “surface” idols. Surface idols are more easily identified. They are your material idols, relationship idols, achievement idols, religion idols and many more.

So how do we keep ourselves from idols?  How are these source and surface idols that have such rule over our hearts torn from the throne that we have given them?

First we have to own them.  We ask the Lord to reveal to us what good (or even bad) things in our lives have we allowed to take on the status of idols.

Then, we repent.  This repentance comes, not from our own determination to change, but instead, from turning our gaze from ourselves and onto the majesty of Jesus.

Thomas Chalmers said, “The best way to overcome the world is not with morality or self-discipline. Christians overcome the world by seeing the beauty and excellence of Christ. They overcome the world by seeing something more attractive than the world: Christ.”

When our eyes are opened to truly see the beauty of Jesus, we are alway changed and brought to a place of repentance. Our hearts are broken upon the realization that He is worthy of absolutely every ounce of our devotion, and the reality that He is truly the only thing that can satisfy settles into our hearts.

We understand that God is great so we don’t have to be in control.

We understand that God is good so we don’t have to go elsewhere to look for comfort.

We understand  that God is glorious so we don’t have to fear others and seek their approval.

We understand that God is gracious so we aren’t required to prove ourselves in order to satisfy a need for power.( Tim Chester… 4 G’s “You Can Change”)

It is then that we ask Jesus to help us destroy our idols …

it is then we want them gone…

because we know…

Written by~Brandi Whaley

Brandi is the Louisiana born wife of a local pastor and mother of 3 great kids. Having been delivered from a life fear and anxiety, Brandi attributes her growth in these areas to the Lord bringing her a greater understanding of His sovereignty in her life. She is continually learning to preach the Gospel to herself and has a passion to see others grow in God’s word.  Brandi has a deep love for theology and a great desire for her life to reflect Christ. Outside of spending time with her family and close friends,  she is happiest with her nose in a book , her toes in the sand, and her favorite playlist coming through the speakers. 

Tags: Brandi Whaley, Counterfeit Gods, First John, Idolatry, jesus, Our City On A Hill