Children Of God Do Not Willfully Sin

My friends and brothers and sisters in Christ, did you know that as Christians we are now different from the world? Even our very nature and how we do things is very different than from the past. We no longer live in sin, but live in the righteousness of God. Sin does not dwell in us, but God’s holiness instead. And if this is not true of your life, then repent and start living for God today. For whosoever continues to sin is not of God, but of the devil. This is not me saying this but what John has said in the Bible. He said, speaking of Jesus, ¹“and ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 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. 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. In this 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.” (1 John 3:5-10) I know what some of you are thinking after reading these verses. “This is not what I have been taught throughout my life, while at church. Why doesn’t my pastor speak out against sin if it is so wrong to keep doing?” These are great questions to ask yourself and the pastor of your church. So the better question for you to ask that person is, why not teach on 1 John 3 and see what he says.

As we’ve learned, every person that is now born again and is of God, they do not continue to sin but live in His righteousness. The way this happens is that Jesus in us now, of which He doesn’t allow us to fall into temptation. It is only when Christ is not with us, that we do fall. So how do we live in the righteousness of God and not sin? John addresses this question too. He said, ¹“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.” (1 John 3:18-24) So as we’ve learned, living in God’s righteousness means living our lives for Christ. We receive from God His armor to protect us from the enemy because we keep His commandments and do those things which are pleasing in His sight and not our own. So we go forth and believe in Jesus Christ and love one another as He loves them. Then do we dwell in Christ and Him in us. This is when the Holy Spirit is made evident in our lives and those around us.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I give You thanks, this day and forever. Thank You for being there in my life. Thank You for protecting me from the enemy. There is peace in my life because I am safe from every wicked and vial temptation that the enemy throws at me. I may not have been able to escape these sinful things before, but You have built me up to be the person I am today. If I am righteous, You have made me righteous. If I am holy, You have made me holy. If I am pure, You have made me pure. If I am filthy, the world has made me this way. If I am lusting and coveting things I shouldn’t, then my flesh has taken over. I know when I am for You and when I am against You. And sin is what destroys me from the inside out each time that I fall. I know that I have left You and I am sorry. So Lord, keep me ever in Your presence. As You have set me free from a life of bondage and sin, I have been given a clear mind, so that I can think clearly and make the right choices. The sins of this world are exactly that, very sinful and filthy in my eyes. Why would I wonder any longer in sin, if it is only going to lead me to feel more guilty and shameful later on about my life? It is like a roller coaster ride of depression and guilt that I do not wish to go through anymore. So take my hand, dear Lord. Help me to fight the good fight and not fall victim to any more addictions that will only take me down a place I should never be. Where You are is where I want to be. And I know that You are calling me to love one another. To not be so caught up in what benefits our own flesh, but what can benefit one another instead. You are who makes me selfless. I cannot do this on my own. So thank You, God. I love You, Lord, and to love one another is the least I can do. I give You praise and great glory! Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

1 John 3

¹1 John 3 (KJV)
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
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.
9 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.
10 In this 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.
11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 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.
24 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.