What it Means to “Know Him Who is True”

We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. (1 John 5:18-19)

Breaking Sinful Habits Through Christ

Habitual sinfulness is unacceptable for everyone, including Christians. God knows we will stumble, so He offers a way to secure forgiveness through confession and repentance (1 John 1). However, God expects us to repent: to break those sinful habits and replace them with righteous living. That’s why John urges us to examine what we practice. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness. Those born of God break sinful habits and commit to consistent, righteous living as they seek to know Him who is true.

Habitual righteousness protects those who practice it. John says the “wicked one,” who is Satan, does not touch those born of God. While the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one, Satan has no power over those who practice righteousness. Christians have nothing to fear from false spirits because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4). Faith is the victory that overcomes the world. When we walk in the light, we hold the key to overcoming darkness.

The Way to Know Him Who is True

Jesus came to earth to give us an understanding so that we may know Him who is true. In that message is eternal life. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and the only way to know God is to know Jesus Christ (John 14). God the Father is the true God, and His Son is Jesus Christ (1 John 5). To know the Father and the Son is to have eternal life. This foundation of truth is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and our protection against the world.

Lest we be misled, the one true and living God disapproves of idolatry. Man has always been tempted to carve statues, paint portraits, or build magnificent temples dedicated to the divine. In the centuries following the apostles, many succumbed to the temptation of religious iconography. While a widespread movement in the 700s attempted to eliminate icons and paintings from Christendom, it did not last. Christian imagery remains a fixture in most versions of Christianity today, yet John warns us to keep ourselves from idols to truly know Him who is true.

Avoiding Idolatry in Modern Faith

From the beginning, it was not so: God set an important precedent in the first two commands of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). I am the Lord your God; worship no one else, and do not make a likeness of Me or anything in heaven or earth. John reiterates this message, noting there is only one true God. While they might have artistic value, a statue of Mary or a painting of Jesus are the sorts of imagery Christians should avoid. God revealed Himself through the spoken and written word to help us know Him who is true.

The appeal of religious imagery should concern us just as it worried John. We must rely on the word of God rather than visual icons to convey His truth to the world. By focusing on the scriptures, we maintain the purity of the message delivered by the apostles. Breaking away from worldly influences and avoiding the trap of idolatry ensures that our worship remains centered on the Father and the Son. This commitment to the written word is how we remain in Him and secure our eternal life.