1 John 3:9, 10 says,...
Today's verses are 1 John 3:9, 10 which read,
v.9 - "No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
Context, context, context. It could look like the one who is saved (born of God) never sins but in context what John is saying is the the one who is saved does not live a life characterized by sinful activity as the norm. The one born of God should be known for his holy living by following the righteousness of Christ rather than his habitual sinful activity of following the devil. This is one of the dangers of reading just a couple verses without the context of the whole passage or the whole book at times.
Why can't we (those who are born of God) habitually sin as a pattern of life? The answer that John gives is that Jesus' seed abides in us. This is another great word picture to think about. A seed grows and eventually produces fruit. Jesus' seed is within us and growing and producing fruit that is honoring onto Him. Our lives are a reflection of that seed given to us by God.
When we sin, as back in chapter 1 verses 9 and 10, it is contrary to that seed's growth and so we confess it (almost like we are agreeing that it should not be there or that it is definitely a "weed" that needs to be pulled out of our lives). The one who is not born of God and does not contain God's seed in them does not do this and continues to practice sin as if it is not sin at all.
v.10 - "By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother."
Someone who does not live a life that is patterned after God (living and showing honor to Him, His ways, and His words) is someone who needs the Lord. Part of practicing righteousness is the right view and action against sin as something to be brought to God rather than hide it from Him or do in defiance of what He says. John says that this is an obvious fact that shows who are allegiance is with.
John ends with the subject of the next section. Another obvious observation is how we love one another, but that is for another day.
"Lord, may I continue to cultivate that seed that you have put within me. May my life reflect You and Your holiness is this very unholy world. May I not give excuse to sin but see it as something so contrary to what You have planted in me. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.9 - "No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
Context, context, context. It could look like the one who is saved (born of God) never sins but in context what John is saying is the the one who is saved does not live a life characterized by sinful activity as the norm. The one born of God should be known for his holy living by following the righteousness of Christ rather than his habitual sinful activity of following the devil. This is one of the dangers of reading just a couple verses without the context of the whole passage or the whole book at times.
Why can't we (those who are born of God) habitually sin as a pattern of life? The answer that John gives is that Jesus' seed abides in us. This is another great word picture to think about. A seed grows and eventually produces fruit. Jesus' seed is within us and growing and producing fruit that is honoring onto Him. Our lives are a reflection of that seed given to us by God.
When we sin, as back in chapter 1 verses 9 and 10, it is contrary to that seed's growth and so we confess it (almost like we are agreeing that it should not be there or that it is definitely a "weed" that needs to be pulled out of our lives). The one who is not born of God and does not contain God's seed in them does not do this and continues to practice sin as if it is not sin at all.
v.10 - "By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother."
Someone who does not live a life that is patterned after God (living and showing honor to Him, His ways, and His words) is someone who needs the Lord. Part of practicing righteousness is the right view and action against sin as something to be brought to God rather than hide it from Him or do in defiance of what He says. John says that this is an obvious fact that shows who are allegiance is with.
John ends with the subject of the next section. Another obvious observation is how we love one another, but that is for another day.
"Lord, may I continue to cultivate that seed that you have put within me. May my life reflect You and Your holiness is this very unholy world. May I not give excuse to sin but see it as something so contrary to what You have planted in me. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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