1 John 5:13-21 “That You May Know” (2/15/26)

1 John 5:13-21 concludes the epistle by assuring believers who trust in Jesus Christ that they can know they possess eternal life, while also providing confidence in prayer—that God hears and answers requests aligned with His will—and guidance on interceding for fellow believers who sin (distinguishing between sins that do not lead to death, for which prayer brings life, and a sin that leads to death, about which prayer is not commanded).

The passage further affirms that those born of God do not persist in sin, are protected from the evil one, belong to God rather than the world under Satan's influence, and have understanding through the Son of God who is the true God and source of eternal life, culminating in the urgent exhortation: "Dear children, keep yourselves from idols."