By: Robert Serreyn
Question? I am having problems understanding 1 John 3:8 & 9 can you help?
(1 John 3:8 – 10) (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.
Answer:
When a person trust Christ ALONE as savior they receive the Holy Spirit. Upon salvation this person now possesses two natures the old/sin nature called the flesh which they are born with, and the new nature(Holy Spirit) which is received upon salvation. to have proper understanding, and interpretation of verses dealing with salvation and or service you MUST keep that in mind.
1 John Chp 3 is written to Christians:
(1 John 3:1) 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.
A person CANNOT be called a son UNLESS born again.
(John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Now with that established lets go to the verses in question:
(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.
First take NOTICE what V8 says He that committeth sin. Question? Who is he?, Answer: the old sin or flesh nature. Satan(devil) WILL ALWAYS appeal to our old sinful flesh nature to get us TO SIN(works of the devil), and sin is of Satan therefore whoever gives into their old sin/flesh nature and sins, IS of the devil(satan), as this verse concludes this is the VERY REASON why Christ had to destroy the works of the devil by dieing on the cross to shed his sinless blood to become sin for us – 2 Corinthians 5:21
(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.
Second, lets ANALYSIS what V9 says Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, Question? Who is whosoever? Answer: The Holy Spirit(the new nature).
The new nature or Holy Spirit CANNOT commit sin, Why? because the Holy Spirit is God, and God is ABSOLUTELY RIGHTEOUS(perfect) and as this verse states even tho the christian commits sins(works of the devil/Satan) that person is STILL SAVED( his seed remaineth in him) BECAUSE the new nature (Holy Spirit) DOES NOT and CANNOT SIN and this is HOW God sees the christian ONE WITHOUT SIN (through the blood of Christ) or born of God.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing a person can know is Jesus Christ as savior, Just BELIEVE(Trust In Completely) that Christ ALONE died and shed his blood on the cross as the complete payment for their sins was buried and three days later rose from the dead.
(Acts 16:31) “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell & the lake of fire); but the GIFT of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH