I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

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: 13, 20-21

After more than thirty years in the pharmaceutical world, I learned time and time again that when time is limited, it is important to communicate as clearly and concisely as possible and still there is always something else to say

In John’s brief letter we’ve been reading bit by bit, he addressed a few primary themes of truth, obedience, and devotion, but there is always the underlying theme that John writes so that his readers will be confident in their belief in the Son of God.

And then, in the very last sentence, he warns of the problem of idolatry. John had warned again and again about false teachers and antichrists, but this last statement broadens the warning in just a few words.

The people of the first century understood the concept of idols, but how well do we avoid things (even good things) that might take God’s place in our hearts?