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THE first chapter of our letter concludes with this; the acknowledgment that these early Christians had genuinely ‘turned from idols to serve the living and true God.’ c1v9.
Notice that the turning is twofold – away from one thing, to another. It goes wrong when either part is missed. Some people look to build a relationship with God but without giving up that which previously had held sway in their lives. Others sense a need for change and turn away from that which was damaging – their idol – but don’t go on to fill the void; to turn to God, that is.