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Summary: I John – Concluding with Confidence

Steve Blass was a dominant pitcher who mysteriously lost his ability to throw strikes at age 31—not from injury, but from a loss of confidence. This same spiritual disease can afflict believers, causing us to doubt God's love, our forgiveness, and our worth.

John wrote his letter to believers who had lost their spiritual confidence after false teachers infiltrated their church, telling them they weren't good enough and God didn't truly love them. Throughout 1 John, he works to restore their joy by reminding them of three powerful truths: You are forgiven. God forgives more than you think. You are good enough. Love and obedience matter more than secret knowledge. You are loved. God sent His Son to prove it.

In these closing verses (1 John 5:13-21), John gives them confidence boosters: You can know you have eternal life. God hears your prayers and will equip you for His will. When others sin, pray for them with confidence in God's forgiveness—don't become suspicious and bitter. You were born again to live righteously, and the One in you is greater than the one in the world.

John ends abruptly: "Keep yourselves from idols." Don't accept substitutes for the God who is Light and Love. Like John dropping his fishing nets to follow Jesus, give God your whole heart. He will take care of it—and you'll discover that life with Him is too good not to be true.