We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:18–21
Danny Akin writes:
Verses 18 through 20 continue on the theme of assurance or confidence, but a transition is made from assurance in prayer to the believer’s knowledge and proper attitude toward sin, the world, and the Son of God. Each of these three verses begins with the verb “we know,” which indicates an intuitive knowledge. These verses function as summary statements, reiterating John’s main points in his epistle. Verse 18 also reaches back to the previous section as John demonstrates that he is in no way indifferent to sin, as some might (wrongly) have argued, since he speaks about “a sin that does not lead to death.” Rather, John reminds his readers that no one who is born of God continues in sin, since Jesus protects him from the evil one’s influence. Verse 20 actually connects well with John’s surprise ending in v. 21 and provides a natural antithesis to his warning concerning idolatry.
MEMORY WORK – Shorter Catechism Q/A 18
Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.