S) "9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
1 John 3:9 (NASB)
*This verse was highlighted before I kept these entries online, so I wrote a new entry
*This verse was highlighted before I kept these entries online, so I wrote a new entry
O) This verse is not saying that Christians will never sin. The key to understanding this verse (and the passage as a whole), is understanding the term, "practices," as it is used here. When we practice something, we are setting out to become better at it. We make efforts, plans, and sacrifices in order to accomplish the goal of the doing the thing. Christians do not practice sin. The seed within us, as it is written here, is the Spirit of Jesus residing within the believer. That same Holy Spirit is why our flesh is combative within us (see Galatians 5:17). The believer no longer makes plans, trying to get better at sinning, but quite the opposite.
A) This is a promise, because I am not alone in this struggle. God's seed is within me. The words, "he cannot sin," is less definitive than descriptive, I think. I do not desire to sin. My desire for obedience is so high, and my willingness to tolerate sin is so low, that I say, "I cannot sin," the same way I tell my children, "You cannot talk to Your mother that way." But again, the promise to me is that I am not alone in this fight. God is with me, strengthening me, confirming within me the desire to obey Him.
A) This is a promise, because I am not alone in this struggle. God's seed is within me. The words, "he cannot sin," is less definitive than descriptive, I think. I do not desire to sin. My desire for obedience is so high, and my willingness to tolerate sin is so low, that I say, "I cannot sin," the same way I tell my children, "You cannot talk to Your mother that way." But again, the promise to me is that I am not alone in this fight. God is with me, strengthening me, confirming within me the desire to obey Him.
P) Father, thank You for rescuing me with the gospel. Thank You for changing my heart, that I would desire to please You. Each day, let me resist the temptations that come before me, and to pass the tests that You allow into my life. Help me to practice righteousness so that my obedience is pleasing to You. Be glorified in my life, as I forsake my sins every day. Let people around me understand that I have not become a more moral person by loving You, but that my love for You directs my steps to obey Your commands. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Amen!
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