18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also 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 by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.REFLECTIONSWritten by Tania DarmoIt is so comforting to me that the Bible understands how easy it is for us to fall in sin and that sin is part of our lives even though, as children of God, we no longer desire it nor do we enjoy the experience. For me as I reflect on these verses, it seems clear that the Spirit of God in me will not allow me to stay in sin. And through Christ, who also uses the prayers of my brothers and sisters (v16-17), victory and eternal life are sure (v20d). It is so comforting to know that through Christ who is the One born of God (v18) I am kept safe. It is through Him and in Him that I am safe. And this comforts me even more to know that I am no longer in the world and under the dominion of the devil, because I belong to the family of God through the One who is His Son, Jesus Christ my Lord and God. And I know this because the Son of God has come and has given me this understanding. Pray with me that we grow in understanding of our place in Christ and in the family of God. Pray that through His Holy Spirit we may put to death all sin in our lives and continue to grow in Christ’s likeness daily. ABOUT THE AUTHORTania is a member of our Fairfield Morning Service.