A Daily Devotional Bible Reading
Based on Sunday's Sermon: What God Wants Every Christian to Know / 1 John 5:13-21
Day 1: The Assurance of Eternal Life
Reading: 1 John 5:13-15
Devotional: John writes with a clear purpose: that you might know you have eternal life. This isn't wishful thinking or hopeful optimism—it's confident assurance based on God's unchanging promise. When you place your faith in Jesus Christ, you enter into a relationship with the King of Kings, gaining immediate access to the Father. This assurance transforms how you live, pray, and face uncertainty. Unlike the 96% who believe in heaven but lack certainty about their destination, you can know with absolute confidence where you'll spend eternity. This knowledge isn't arrogance; it's trust in God's faithful Word. Today, examine your heart: Do you truly know, or are you merely hoping?
Reflection Question: Can you say with certainty, "I know I have eternal life"? What is that certainty based upon?
Day 2: Confidence in Prayer
Reading: 1 John 5:14-17; Matthew 7:7-11
Devotional: As God's child, you possess an extraordinary privilege: direct access to the throne of grace. Prayer isn't about bending God's will to match yours, but aligning your heart with His purposes. When you pray according to God's will, you're not limited—you're liberated to participate in His kingdom work. Consider the example John gives: praying for a straying brother or sister. This is always God's will—restoration, reconciliation, and renewal. God loves you as a perfect Father, far exceeding any earthly parent's care. He doesn't reluctantly answer; He eagerly responds to His children. Today, approach Him boldly, knowing He hears every word and desires to bless you according to His perfect wisdom.
Reflection Question: Are you praying to accomplish God's will or to convince Him to accomplish yours?
Day 3: Victory Over Sin
Reading: 1 John 5:18; Romans 6:1-14
Devotional: The pattern of a believer's life is obedience, not perfection, but direction. While you still struggle with sin, it no longer defines you or controls you. Christ keeps you secure; no one—not even yourself—can snatch you from His hand. Yet this security doesn't breed complacency. You actively participate in keeping yourself from sin's influence, fleeing idolatry in all its modern forms. Whether it's materialism, entertainment, relationships, or ambition, anything that takes Christ's place becomes an idol. The tension is beautiful: Christ keeps you while you work out your salvation with fear and trembling. His power enables your effort; your effort demonstrates His work. Today, identify what threatens to replace Christ in your affections and intentionally turn from it.
Reflection Question: What "idols" are competing for the devotion that belongs to Christ alone in your life?
Day 4: Belonging to God
Reading: 1 John 5:19; John 15:18-19; 1 John 2:15-17
Devotional: You are fundamentally different from the world around you. While the world lies in the lap of the wicked one, controlled by Satan's deceptive system, you belong to God. This isn't spiritual elitism; it's positional reality. God has transferred you from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son. The world's values, priorities, and pursuits no longer define you. What once attracted you now repels you; what once seemed foolish now appears as wisdom. This distinction should be evident in how you spend your time, money, and energy. You're a citizen of heaven temporarily residing on earth. Today, examine whether your life reflects your true citizenship or if you've become too comfortable in enemy territory.
Reflection Question: In what ways does your daily life demonstrate that you belong to God rather than the world?
Day 5: Knowing What Is True
Reading: 1 John 5:20-21; John 17:3; Philippians 3:7-11
Devotional: God has given you understanding—not secret knowledge reserved for spiritual elites, but revealed truth accessible through His Word and Spirit. You know Jesus not merely as a historical figure but as a living, present reality. This isn't intellectual knowledge alone; it's intimate, experiential knowing. You fellowship with Him, sense His presence, and experience His transforming power. In a world where truth is considered relative and certainty is labeled arrogance, you stand on the solid foundation of God's revelation. You don't need mystical experiences or additional revelations beyond Scripture. You have Christ, and in Him dwells all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Today, deepen your knowledge of Jesus through His Word, moving beyond facts to intimate fellowship with the One who is Truth itself.
Reflection Question: Do you know Jesus intimately, or do you merely know facts about Him? How can you deepen that relationship today?
Closing Reflection
Throughout this reading plan, you've explored five certainties every believer can claim: assurance of eternal life, confidence in prayer, victory over sin, belonging to God, and knowledge of truth. These aren't suggestions or possibilities—they're realities for everyone who has placed faith in Jesus Christ. As you move forward, let these certainties anchor your soul in times of doubt, strengthen your resolve in times of temptation, and fuel your worship in times of joy. You are not lost. You know where you're going and who holds you secure along the way.
Day 1: The Assurance of Eternal Life
Reading: 1 John 5:13-15
Devotional: John writes with a clear purpose: that you might know you have eternal life. This isn't wishful thinking or hopeful optimism—it's confident assurance based on God's unchanging promise. When you place your faith in Jesus Christ, you enter into a relationship with the King of Kings, gaining immediate access to the Father. This assurance transforms how you live, pray, and face uncertainty. Unlike the 96% who believe in heaven but lack certainty about their destination, you can know with absolute confidence where you'll spend eternity. This knowledge isn't arrogance; it's trust in God's faithful Word. Today, examine your heart: Do you truly know, or are you merely hoping?
Reflection Question: Can you say with certainty, "I know I have eternal life"? What is that certainty based upon?
Day 2: Confidence in Prayer
Reading: 1 John 5:14-17; Matthew 7:7-11
Devotional: As God's child, you possess an extraordinary privilege: direct access to the throne of grace. Prayer isn't about bending God's will to match yours, but aligning your heart with His purposes. When you pray according to God's will, you're not limited—you're liberated to participate in His kingdom work. Consider the example John gives: praying for a straying brother or sister. This is always God's will—restoration, reconciliation, and renewal. God loves you as a perfect Father, far exceeding any earthly parent's care. He doesn't reluctantly answer; He eagerly responds to His children. Today, approach Him boldly, knowing He hears every word and desires to bless you according to His perfect wisdom.
Reflection Question: Are you praying to accomplish God's will or to convince Him to accomplish yours?
Day 3: Victory Over Sin
Reading: 1 John 5:18; Romans 6:1-14
Devotional: The pattern of a believer's life is obedience, not perfection, but direction. While you still struggle with sin, it no longer defines you or controls you. Christ keeps you secure; no one—not even yourself—can snatch you from His hand. Yet this security doesn't breed complacency. You actively participate in keeping yourself from sin's influence, fleeing idolatry in all its modern forms. Whether it's materialism, entertainment, relationships, or ambition, anything that takes Christ's place becomes an idol. The tension is beautiful: Christ keeps you while you work out your salvation with fear and trembling. His power enables your effort; your effort demonstrates His work. Today, identify what threatens to replace Christ in your affections and intentionally turn from it.
Reflection Question: What "idols" are competing for the devotion that belongs to Christ alone in your life?
Day 4: Belonging to God
Reading: 1 John 5:19; John 15:18-19; 1 John 2:15-17
Devotional: You are fundamentally different from the world around you. While the world lies in the lap of the wicked one, controlled by Satan's deceptive system, you belong to God. This isn't spiritual elitism; it's positional reality. God has transferred you from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son. The world's values, priorities, and pursuits no longer define you. What once attracted you now repels you; what once seemed foolish now appears as wisdom. This distinction should be evident in how you spend your time, money, and energy. You're a citizen of heaven temporarily residing on earth. Today, examine whether your life reflects your true citizenship or if you've become too comfortable in enemy territory.
Reflection Question: In what ways does your daily life demonstrate that you belong to God rather than the world?
Day 5: Knowing What Is True
Reading: 1 John 5:20-21; John 17:3; Philippians 3:7-11
Devotional: God has given you understanding—not secret knowledge reserved for spiritual elites, but revealed truth accessible through His Word and Spirit. You know Jesus not merely as a historical figure but as a living, present reality. This isn't intellectual knowledge alone; it's intimate, experiential knowing. You fellowship with Him, sense His presence, and experience His transforming power. In a world where truth is considered relative and certainty is labeled arrogance, you stand on the solid foundation of God's revelation. You don't need mystical experiences or additional revelations beyond Scripture. You have Christ, and in Him dwells all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Today, deepen your knowledge of Jesus through His Word, moving beyond facts to intimate fellowship with the One who is Truth itself.
Reflection Question: Do you know Jesus intimately, or do you merely know facts about Him? How can you deepen that relationship today?
Closing Reflection
Throughout this reading plan, you've explored five certainties every believer can claim: assurance of eternal life, confidence in prayer, victory over sin, belonging to God, and knowledge of truth. These aren't suggestions or possibilities—they're realities for everyone who has placed faith in Jesus Christ. As you move forward, let these certainties anchor your soul in times of doubt, strengthen your resolve in times of temptation, and fuel your worship in times of joy. You are not lost. You know where you're going and who holds you secure along the way.