True community and connection with God provides freedom from the pressures of idolatry...

This week we have been looking at the final section of this letter that has been preserved and recorded for us in the New Testament of the Bible, called the book of 1 John. So far theis week, we have looked on as John revealed for us a timeless truth when it comes to connecting in community in that true community and connection with God provides freedom. And in 1 John 5:18-21, we see John reveal three different areas where true community and connection with God provides freedom. First, in 1 John 5:18, we see John reveal for us the reality that true community and connection with God provides freedom from the practice of sin.

Second, John revealed for us the reality that true community and connection with God provides freedom from the power of Satan. True community and connection with God provides freedom from the power of Satan because Jesus entered humanity so we can comprehend and wrap our minds around the reality that we can be freed from those things in the world system around us that is hostile to God and that sets itself up in opposition to God and the kingdom of God.

True community and connection with God provides freedom from the power of Satan because Jesus entered into humanity to reveal and explain God to humanity and to expose humanities need for forgiveness and relationship with Him by allowing Himself to be treated as though He lived our selfish and sinful life so that God the Father could treat us as though we lived Jesus perfect life. Today, John reveals a third area where true community and connection with God provides freedom. We see that third area in 1 John 5:21:

 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

John concludes his letter by commanding the members of the church at Ephesus, and followers of Jesus throughout history to guard themselves from idols. This idea of guarding literally means to protect oneself by taking careful measures. The idols that John is referring to here were fabricated and imaged deities. But that is not all that John had in mind here. When we read the message and teaching of Jesus and the letters that make up the Bible, we discover that an idol is anything other than God that we elevate and worship as God.

John’s point here is that in light of all that he has shared in this letter about the components that make for true community and connection with God and the landmines that can keep us from experiencing that community and connection, we must be on guard against anything that competes with God for our worship and devotion. Since a person who is living in true community and connection with God has the freedom from the practice of sin and the power of Satan, John is warning followers of Jesus throughout history to not use that freedom to become enslaved to something other than the source of your freedom.

And it is here that we see John reveal for us the reality that true community and connection with God provides freedom from the pressures of idolatry. True community and connection with God provides freedom from the pressures of idolatry because when we experience true community and connection with God, we treasure Jesus as our ultimate treasure. True community and connection with God provides freedom from the pressures of idolatry because when we experience true community and connection with God, we will be on guard against anything that competes with God for our devotion.           

Now you might be thinking to yourself at this moment “Well Dave I don’t have an idol that competes with God for my worship and devotion. I don’t worship a fabricated or imaged deity?” If that thought is in your mind, here would be my response: Are you sure? Are you sure you don’t have an idol?

Do you live in your idol? Do you drive your idol? Do you look at your idol every morning in the mirror? Do you sleep next to your idol? Do you get a paycheck from your idol? Do you worship the idol of comfort or convenience? Do you worship the idol of position, possessions, or pleasure?

John is calling the readers of this letter throughout history to carefully protect themselves from elevating anything other than God to a place of worship. If you are not sure whether or not you have an idol, here is a suggestion: Take some time and look at how you spend your time, your treasure, your talents, and what you talk about. Because we spend our time, our talent, our treasure, and our talk on what we treasure and are devoted to.

So here is a question to consider: what is imprisoning you? What bars and chains are you surrounded and shackled by? And who placed them there?

You see, the only way that we can lose our freedom as followers of Jesus over the practice of sin and the power of Satan is when we choose to imprison ourselves. And, at the same time, the only way that we can experience true freedom is through a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and leader.

Because, as we have discovered, true community and connection with God provides freedom True community and connection with God provides freedom from the practice of sin. True community and connection with God provides freedom from the power of Satan. And true community and connection with God provides freedom from the pressures of idolatry...