Presents
Pamphlet 1557 1 John kc 5-3
Presents
Pamphlet 1557 1 John kc 5-3
Anyone who believes that Christians do not sin after they are converted lives in a fantasy world built by the traditions of men. 1 John 3:6
Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him.
Anyone who believes that Christians do not sin after they are converted lives in a fantasy world built by the traditions of men.
Besides, if that were true then why would we even have need of repentance following conversion?
The REALITY IS that we all fall short and we all transgress the law, which we now know is to sin.
Mature Christians are able face that reality while self-righteous hypocrites pretend it doesn't apply to them.
But there are also those "habitual sinners" who could care less for they know not Jesus Christ which means they also have not the Father (Remember Jn. 2:23?)!
Yes, there are those other children who "abide" not in Jesus Christ, but rather abide "unrepentantly" in sin, or as Dr. Bullinger states in the Companion Bible, pg. 1871, commit sin "habitually"!
Again, if one falls into this category that means as John points out, he has not repented (not seen Him) for he has not come to know the Lord Jesus Christ (neither known Him).
John is now going to separate the Good Children from the Evil Children, the Righteous Children from the Unrighteous Children, even the Children of God from the Children of the Devil, who are "habitual sinners" because they abide not in Christ but rather abide in their own father.
That we shall see is because they are "of" (children of) the devil himself and his seed abides in them.
Let's read the next two verses together before analyzing them.
1 John 3:7
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.1 John 3:8
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
They are in trouble for judging you in that manner.
In fact, do not even tell yourself that!
Know and understand from the Word of God, even from 1 John 1:9, that the MOMENT you repent and confess your sins to Jesus Christ He PROMISES and has the POWER, i.e. He is Faithful and Just, to FORGIVE YOUR sins... not later on... but INSTANTLY!
At that very moment you are CLEANSED, you are PURIFIED from unrighteousness!
It may seem hard to believe sometimes, especially at those times when we really "screw up", but it is so true and it is so precious a gift from our Father who loved us so much as to give His only begotten Son to be crucified and pay the price for sinners like us!
It makes us pour out our hearts to Him in thankfulness and gratitude.
This brings up two points though.
The first is that since He instantly forgives us upon repentance there is no need to "wallow" in self pity and continually submit that sin to Him.
He doesn't like it.
In fact, the greater sin may be the pride of your ego that prevents you from forgiving yourself.
The other point is that if a brother falls in sin, perhaps slipping pretty low, but then repents, the Christian thing not to do is to pass religious *judgment upon him, i.e. to condemn him as a sinner.
You see, the question would be, "Who are you to now judge him as "unrighteous" whom Jesus Christ has cleansed from unrighteousness?"
Think about it!
It can be a dangerous thing to judge your brother, or even yourself, that way!
*Note: That is what "Thou fool" means in Matthew 5:22.
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We pray that with the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, you accomplish both.
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