1 John 3
October Memory Verse: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 (NIV)
1 John 3
This is a difficult passage to unpack, but let’s work through it together!
John basically says in our passage that if you are a Christ follower then there should be no sin in your life. And I would have to say, many of us struggle with this concept that John presents, because we are Christ followers, yet we sin every day. So what does John really mean?
I like the way ESV translates verse 4 and 6. It reads, “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness… No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.”
The two words to focus on: practice and abides.
What John is trying to say is that those who abide in Christ or are Christ followers, do not make a practice of sin. A practice of sin means continual, unrepentant, rebellion against God. John goes on to say that those who make a practice of sin belong to the devil (v. 8), and if you are a believer in Christ, you cannot belong both to Jesus and Satan. If you are a Christ follower then you are a child of God (v. 1) because of the forgiveness you received through Jesus (v. 5, 7). And if you are abiding in Jesus, you will not practice sin (v. 9).
Does this mean that Christians will not ever struggle with sin? Of course not. We are at battle with Satan every day. But if we are genuine followers of Jesus, we will not make sin a practice in our life.
A good way to measure this is by examining what you do when confronted with your sin. As you read Scripture or listen to God’s Word, and are confronted with sin, what do you do when confronted? Do you ignore it? Or do you feel conviction about it? Does it draw you further from God or closer to Him?
My prayer is that believers in Christ would be disgusted with their sin and pursue holiness in a way that glorifies God.
One last question: is your life more marked by sin or Jesus?
By: Brice Stockton
1 John 3
This is a difficult passage to unpack, but let’s work through it together!
John basically says in our passage that if you are a Christ follower then there should be no sin in your life. And I would have to say, many of us struggle with this concept that John presents, because we are Christ followers, yet we sin every day. So what does John really mean?
I like the way ESV translates verse 4 and 6. It reads, “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness… No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.”
The two words to focus on: practice and abides.
What John is trying to say is that those who abide in Christ or are Christ followers, do not make a practice of sin. A practice of sin means continual, unrepentant, rebellion against God. John goes on to say that those who make a practice of sin belong to the devil (v. 8), and if you are a believer in Christ, you cannot belong both to Jesus and Satan. If you are a Christ follower then you are a child of God (v. 1) because of the forgiveness you received through Jesus (v. 5, 7). And if you are abiding in Jesus, you will not practice sin (v. 9).
Does this mean that Christians will not ever struggle with sin? Of course not. We are at battle with Satan every day. But if we are genuine followers of Jesus, we will not make sin a practice in our life.
A good way to measure this is by examining what you do when confronted with your sin. As you read Scripture or listen to God’s Word, and are confronted with sin, what do you do when confronted? Do you ignore it? Or do you feel conviction about it? Does it draw you further from God or closer to Him?
My prayer is that believers in Christ would be disgusted with their sin and pursue holiness in a way that glorifies God.
One last question: is your life more marked by sin or Jesus?
By: Brice Stockton
3 Comments
Good word today Brice! Years ago when I was a college student I remember hearing this question.
If you were put on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence for a conviction? If people you work with, go to school with, or live in your neighborhood have no idea you're a Christian, that's a BIG problem.
18 Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
A hymn was written in the 1960's by Peter Scholtes called "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love". The hymn was inspired by John 13:35. Verse 18 in today's reading has a similar theme. As Brice said, sin will always be with us this side of heaven. However, our lives should be marked by repentance, love for Christ, and love for our fellow man.
Great job today Brice!
This was great Brice! I like how you explained the practicing of sin and abiding in Christ!!! Thanks!