1st John Chapter 3 Part 6

3:8-9 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.

This passage continues the line of thinking John established in the previous two verses: the contrast between habitual sinning and habitual abstinence from sin. Those who confess Christ but have no issue with continuing in a lifestyle of flagrant, habitual sin are of the devil, John writes. Jude agrees: “These (false confessors) are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage,” Jude 1:16.

A Third Year in Review

Well it seems that my blog has reached its third year of life, so to speak. Where to begin with the reflections about how the last year has treated me as a husband, father, worker, and most importantly, a Christian? Our newest arrival, Gabriel Benjamin, will be one year old very shortly. It's been a quick year with three little ones running amok and getting into all manner of mischief.

1st John Chapter 3 Part 5

3:6-7 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, cont.

Notice the point Jesus made in John chapter 15. There is a vast difference between abiding in Him and failing to do so. If you abide in Christ you will have spiritual victory; you will bear spiritual fruit as the Son brings to bear more of His likeness through you and your will, conduct and goals become more aligned with God’s. The key is abiding in Him. The Christian who fails to bear any fruit is the Christian who fails to submit to Jesus’ will for you. In His own words you can do nothing of permanent, spiritual value apart from Him. If your life is one of defeat after defeat this may be exactly why.

1st John Chapter 3 Part 4

3:6-7 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.

In this chapter we have entered dangerous waters, as it were. The verses we are presently reading and studying have been the source of heated debate between Christians for a long time. I believe the Holy Spirit would never inspire John or any other prophet or apostle to write the Bible and leave the meaning of the language entirely ambiguous and open to various “readings.”

A Declaration of Faith

What does it mean when someone says, “I believe in God?”

Well, there are at least two ways one may interpret this saying. One is that the person in question is making a declaration that they believe God exists; they are confident that there is a being or power ascribed as God, and that he dwells “out there” somewhere. This first declaration leaves a little something to be desired.