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Two difficult verses in the book of
1John are:
1 John 3:9
& 5: 16-17
1. 1John 3:9
(click on verse or scroll down to view explanation)
"Whosoever is born
of God doth not commit sin . . ."
2.
1John 5: 16-17
(Coming soon)
"If any man see his brother sin a sin
which is not unto death . . ."
1 John 3:9
What
Does
1John 3:9 Mean?
"Whosoever is born
of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he
cannot sin, because he is born of God."
A Response
The key to understanding this verse is found in the next verse in
which John contrasts the nature of the children of God with the
nature of the children of the devil. We read,
1Jo 3:10 In this [born of God] the
children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil:
whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that
loveth not his brother.
The children of the devil operating
out of a corrupt nature are incapable of the love and righteousness
of God. In contrast, the children of God are born again of the
seed of Christ, a nature that is pure and of a holy God. We do
possess the righteousness and love of God.
As believers
in Christ we have God's Holy Spirit (Christ) within us, and we are
indwelt with the love of God, being delivered from the power of sin,
Satan and his kingdom of darkness. We have been regenerated
with a new nature, one that is incompatible with the hate or nature
of the devil in a contrast of light versus darkness. God's
seed remains in us and this is what is meant by "he cannot sin"
because "he is born of God." There is nothing that we can do
to corrupt that seed or the new nature that is placed within us,
even though we can still sin in the flesh.
We read,
1Pe 1:23 Being
born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the
word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Christ's seed within us is not
perishable nor corruptible; it is immortal!
1Jo 3:5 And ye
know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no
sin.
When we
abide in Christ we cannot sin because there is no sin in Him and
there is nothing that we can do to change or corrupt that nature
that God has given to us. The Apostle John is demonstrating
the sharp contrast between the children of God and the children of
the devil. He exhorts the church to walk in God's love, and as
it states in verse 3, "And every man that hath this hope in him
purifieth himself, even as he is pure." Christ dwells in the
believer and likewise the believer is exhorted to also dwell in Him,
for this is our true and God-given nature in which we were sealed.
1Jo 3:7
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness
is righteous, even as he [Christ] is righteous.
This section of Scripture in 1 John 3:9 is not saying that a
Christian is incapable of committing sin, for any Christian can
commit sin. If a Christian cannot sin then there would be no
need to seek forgiveness, in contrast we are clearly instructed in
God's Word that,
1Jo 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
We still
struggle with the weaknesses and the lusts of the flesh, but by the
regeneration of the Holy Spirit we are now sons of God and new
creatures in Christ. Unlike the unregenerate soul, we have the
conviction and power of the Holy Spirit (Spirit of Truth) to assist
us in our struggle with sin and the carnal nature and a conscience
to guide us; however the unbeliever is not illuminated in this
fashion. A good example of regeneration is found in its
relation to biology described as "Regrowth of lost or destroyed
parts or organs." As Christians, we are delivered from the
condemnation of the fallen nature or a life of perpetual darkness
and corruption, instead we are restored to life and have become
partakers of the divine nature of God. This new nature remains
eternally present with us!
Regarding sin Paul tells us,
Rom 6:2
. . .How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
The unregenerate souls of those who
exhibit the hate of their father, the devil, have no eternal life
abiding in them. They have never seen or known the Lord.
The characteristics of the devil are
hate and murder void of any love or justice that is found in the
nature of God, for God is light.
1Jo 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother
is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life
abiding in him.
G3404
μισέω
miseō
mis-eh'-o
From a primary word (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute);
by extension to love less: - hate (-ful).
John's exhortation to the believer
is:
1Jo 3:18 - 24
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but
in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the
truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our
heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all
things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we
confidence toward God.
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his
commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of
his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us
commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him,
and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the
Spirit which he hath given us.
The life of Christ within is
confirmed in our fellowship with Him, and even if our own hearts
condemn us, God is greater than our hearts.
We encounter
the hate of the devil operating in his seed in our spiritual
warfare; a warfare that takes place between light and darkness and
love and hate. We are the children of light in the world, in which
the Spirit of God is uniquely expressed in each and everyone of us
as we abide in Him.
Also see -
Abiding in the True
Vine
Posted -
April 01, 2008
Question 2
What Does
1John 5: 16-17 Mean?
"If any man see his brother sin a sin
which is not unto death, he
shall ask, and he shall give him life (zoe)
for them that sin not unto death."
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