What assurance does 1 John 5:19 give believers about their identity in God? Setting the Verse in Context 1 John 5:19: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.” The Two Realms John Describes • “We are of God” – the sphere of divine life, light, and truth • “The whole world” – humanity organized apart from God, “under the power of the evil one” Five Assurances About Our Identity 1. Ownership • “We are of God” declares divine possession; believers belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). • Jesus echoes this: “I know My sheep and My sheep know Me” (John 10:14). 2. Family Status • The verb form conveys birth: we are “born of God” (1 John 5:18). • Romans 8:16: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” 3. Security • Distinct realms mean the evil one cannot reclaim those God owns (John 10:28–29). • 1 John 5:18: “The evil one cannot touch him.” 4. Clarity in a Confused World • Knowing our position prevents spiritual compromise. • John 17:14–17: Jesus prays for disciples kept from the evil one while still in the world. 5. Mission • Because we are “of God,” we carry His light into darkness (Matthew 5:14–16). • Confidence in identity fuels bold witness (Acts 4:13). Key Phrases That Underscore Assurance • “We know” – repeated certainty, rooted in objective truth, not feelings (1 John 5:13). • “Of God” – union and source; our life draws from His life (John 15:4–5). • “Whole world… under the power” – stark contrast heightens the privilege of belonging to God. Practical Takeaways • Rest: your standing is settled; you are God’s child, not Satan’s captive. • Resist: awareness of the world’s spiritual state equips you to reject its lure (James 4:7). • Represent: live distinctly, showing what it means to be “of God” in speech, conduct, and love (1 John 4:7–12). Conclusion 1 John 5:19 offers unshakable assurance: believers are God’s own people, securely held, clearly distinguished from a world in darkness, and purposefully sent to shine His light. |
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