Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
Something is really powerful about this address being made in terms of children—"Dear children." The question, of course, would first be: is this only talking to little kids? Well, it's not just being addressed to little children. The thought of what it means to be a follower of the way of Jesus, under the headship of Christ, is for us to be considered part of God's family—God's children. I love that the address is made in terms of children, because it accentuates an idea that I think is important for us to hold fast to, no matter how old we are in our journey with Jesus.
The Pliability of a Child
Little children have a lot of pliability when it comes to their learning and their ability to believe. Think about little children looking up to a superhero they see in a movie or read about in a comic book. Little children will emulate the life of what they see as magnificent. There's this innocence and understanding that the magnitude of power witnessed in a scenario like that would be compelling. I love that little children are being thought of here, because the writer is causing the reader to consider what their life should look like in emulating the One who laid down His life on their behalf—and it's Jesus. Jesus came to earth and was fully obedient to His Father. His eyes were continually fixed on Him, and He never deviated or allowed His heart to be swayed by any other affection than the one dedicated to God.
Enamored With God
Here we are, being reminded in 1 John chapter 5 that just like little children, we should be so enamored, so taken with God and His power and glory, and the way of Jesus and the example of His life, that—just like little kids—our hearts, our affections, and our intentions should be to emulate Him. Just like little children, when you hear instruction given to kids it's very simple: do this, don't do that. It doesn't have to be nuanced and complex. You can just matter-of-factly say, this is what you should do, it's good for you—you shouldn't do this, it would be bad. What he says here is: little children, don't give your affections to idols.
What Is an Idol?
The word "idol" can feel extreme to some people—maybe a little heavy-handed. You might even be thinking, well, this doesn't apply to me, because I don't worship another god. There isn't a statue in my house or some sort of figure that I've given worship and affection and allegiance to. I don't bow my knee to any other god. But the thing we need to consider is—what is the definition of an idol? An idol is anything that takes the place of the attention, the time, and even the generosity and money given to the one you worship. We know that we worship the living God, and every part of our lives should be dedicated to Him. But some of us have allowed things—people, ideas, even income—to become the thing we care more about than the living God Himself. What John's saying here is: like a little child, be reminded that there is no place your affection can go that is better suited than the living God Himself. Turn away from idols. Turn away from the places that can steal the affection that belongs to God. Fix your eyes on Him. Worship Him alone.
