God Protects Those Born of God

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Watch Out for Deceivers

1 John 5:16-21  The Message

^16-17 For instance, if we see a Christian believer sinning (clearly I’m not talking about those who make a practice of sin in a way that is “fatal,” leading to eternal death), we ask for God’s help and he gladly gives it, gives life to the sinner whose sin is not fatal. There is such a thing as a fatal sin, and I’m not urging you to pray about that. Everything we do wrong is sin, but not all sin is fatal.
^18-21 We know that none of the God-begotten makes a practice of sin—fatal sin. The God-begotten are also the God-protected. The Evil One can’t lay a hand on them. We know that we are held firm by God; it’s only the people of the world who continue in the grip of the Evil One. And we know that the Son of God came so we could recognize and understand the truth of God—what a gift!—and we are living in the Truth itself, in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. This Jesus is both True God and Real Life. Dear children, be on guard against all clever facsimiles.

 

For Reflection

 The common threads between human kind and Jesus are amazing.   When we choose God and follow Christ we are reborn as a child of God.  This does not mean that we are instantly good or divine.  It means that God loves us and will protect us from chronic sin.  That we are restored to the household of God.  We move as the Spirit moves us.  We are guided by God whispers.  We are cloaked in God's armor so that we can stave off enticements to sin.

Pray

prayers of thanksgiving for the Spirit of the living God.  Pray about all things and remain still so that you can hear God's advice and council.  Pray that you will be alert to the pretenders of goodness.  Pray that you will have the wisdom to act in the image of Christ, whom we follow.