Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

TO KNOW Gnostics disrupted the early church and threatened its very existence with their false doctrines. Several of the New Testament books were written to refute their manmade theories. The First Epistle of John is almost totally concerned with correcting the error of the Gnostics. Gnostics preached that sinful deeds do not affect the spirit. In this way, they undermined the faith of new converts and introduced doubt. To refute their approach, John sets down specific pegs on which to hang one's faith. These five pegs are: (1) We know we have been converted because we keep His commandments, 2:3. (2) We know we know Him because we have a sincere love for one another, 3:14. (3) We know we are born again because our love moves beyond talking to practical service, 3:18-19. (4) We are assured of our salvation by His Holy Spirit, 3:24; 4:13. (5) Finally, we are convinced we are believers by God's Word given to us, 5:10. Although Gnosticism has faded from history, there are still false teachers who would undermine our faith in Christ. Therefore, these five "pegs" are helpful to us today. John assures us we can have the confidence that if we ask anything in Christ's name, He will give it to us. This is prayer power in action. May we claim this promise from God today and move on in our life of faith to ask great things of God for His Kingdom.