We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. 1 John 5:18 (NIV)
The “one who was born of God” is Jesus Christ. He keeps you safe if you are a child of God. What does Christ keep us safe from? If you’re not sure about this, you’ll become easily discouraged.
Christians experience all the same troubles in this fallen world as everyone else: “There will be earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places and fearful events… They will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons… You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death… But not a hair of your head will perish” (Luke 21:11-12, 16-18).
“You will be put to death… but not a hair of your head will perish!” What does that mean? The devil is like a roaring lion prowling around looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Satan wants to bring you back under his power. But that’s impossible. Once you’ve been born again, you belong to Christ and “No one can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28).
Once you are in the hand of Christ, you are beyond Satan’s grasp: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.” Satan had to ask. God allowed it, and Peter failed. But listen to what Jesus says, “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:32).
The enemy may hurt you; but he can never destroy you. He may cause you to fall into sin—but he can never “unregenerate” you or own you again.
What does Christ keep you safe from?
