Where is the Christian able to find a shelter today? Where can he find a refuge, a safe place, a protection? "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness [or as another translation reads, 'in the wicked one]." 1 John 5:1919And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. (1 John 5:19). This is the world into which every one of us is born and surely we want to pass through it safely and in peace. In the prayer of Jesus to the Father He says, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." John 17:1616They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:16). Also He says, "I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil." (v. 15). Being so kept is what we all need and should desire for ourselves.
There are two places in this world that God has provided where this shelter from evil is found. They are the Christian home and the assembly. How very thankful we can be for these two sanctuaries and how we do enjoy being in a Christian home and also being together in the assembly!
The enemy, the wicked one, fights against these two refuges and tries to break down and destroy them. Continually he attacks the Christian home and seeks to introduce the world into that lovely place and so corrupt and ruin it. We must keep the world and worldliness out of our homes. Perhaps the best way to do this is to put God and His Word first each day of our lives. We also have the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, as our resource and of Him it says, "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:44Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4).
Likewise the assembly, the church, is under the attacks of the enemy both from without and from within. We quote Acts 20:29-3029For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:29‑30), "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." The resource to combat this we find in verse 32. It is God and the Word of His grace.
The Apostle John in his last two epistles has given us by the Spirit very helpful and timely instruction as a defense against the attacks upon the Christian home and upon the assembly. His second epistle to the "elect lady and her children" guards against these attacks of the enemy upon the Christian home. His third epistle to the "well-beloved Gaius" guards against the attacks of the enemy upon the church.
May we each one ever prize and use these two shelters as we have time available to be found in either one of them.