THURSDAY, JULY 20
1 John 3:1-10
1 John 3:9

"Whosoever is born of God
doth not commit sin…"

STOP LIVING IN SIN AS A HABIT (1)

The fifth sign of born-again believers is they stop living in sin as a habit. They will not purposely keep on living in sin. "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" (1 John 3:9). This verse does not teach sinless perfection of Christian life on earth as some believe. Paul used to be "a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious" (1 Tim 1:13). After being saved and born again by God’s grace and mercy, Paul still struggled to fight against his sinful flesh or sinful nature. "If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not" (Rom 7:16-18). Paul used the verb "dwelleth" in the present tense and in the active voice, denoting that "sin" or sinful nature is still active in him although he was born again and "consent unto the law that it is good." However, Paul dealt with sin seriously and did not give up the fight until he found victory in the Lord Jesus Christ. "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord…" (Rom 7:24-25). Even though Paul lived a victorious life in Christ, he did not think that he was sinless and perfect yet (Phil 3:12-15) and sincerely testified that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief " (1 Tim 1:15). Paul used the verb eimi ("am") in the present tense to show his humility and to encourage other sinners to trust in Jesus Christ, who is able to save them as He has saved Paul, the top one in rank among sinners!

Then, what was the powerful motivation that helped Paul to deal with sin seriously until he stopped living in sin through the victory in the Lord Jesus? That is God’s "seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." If we are truly born again, God’s holy seed or holy life in us will help us do as Paul did. 

THOUGHT: If I am born again, I must stop living in sin as a habit.
PRAYER: Lord, I thank Thee for Thy holy and victorious life in me.