In the epistle of 1st John we find the comforting promise that God keeps those who belong to Him (1 John 5:18). One of the most reassuring truths that God reveals to His children in Scripture is the fact that He Himself promises to keep us from falling and to usher us faultless into His presence (Jude 24,25).
Peter writes that we are “kept by the power of God through faith” in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 1:5). Just as Jesus kept the apostles while He was on earth (John 17:12), He promises to keep those who trust in Him today (John 10:27-29). Because God is faithful to keep those who belong to Him (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24), we will be empowered as we abide in Him (John 15:1-7) to keep the faith to the end. (2 Timothy 4:7).
When John says that the wicked one cannot touch a child of God (1 John 5:18), that does not mean that we will not be persecuted (Matthew 5:10-12), physically beaten (2 Corinthians 11:24,25), or even martyred (Acts 12:1,2). Nor does it mean that Satan will not hinder the work of God in our lives (1 Thessalonians 2:17,18). It simply means this: our souls are secure in His hands (2 Timothy 1:12), and I can be confident that when I finish my work here on earth, God will call me home (Revelation 11:7).
This promise of being kept by the power of God is never meant to inspire self-confidence (1 Corinthians 10:12). On the contrary, it is meant to cause us to follow Christ with an even greater caution (Ephesians 5:15,16) and prayerful sobriety (1 Peter 4:7). Yes, God promises to keep us from falling, but we are responsible to walk in The Spirit (Galatians 5:16-18) and yield ourselves totally to God (Romans 6:1-19). Never are we to presume upon the grace of God (Romans 6:1,2) that teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (Titus 2:11-14).
God is indeed faithful and will establish us and keep us from evil (2 Thessalonians 3:3), as we keep ourselves in the love of God and as we continually look for His glorious mercy, which He has given to us in and through His Son Jesus Christ.
