Sunday Morning Podcast Feb 24, 2019. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT: 1 JOHN 3:1-10
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.
God will deliver us from our foolish inclinations, …if we choose Him. He desires to save us, but we need to want Him. Just as with a mutually interested couple in each other, there will be a sure indication of that proclaimed interest, by our life! God never gives up on us, to draw us to Him. But there can be no relationship, unless we reach back, and draw nigh to Him! If we still then retain our sin, it is a fatal assumption that the relationship is mutual.
Imagine, that you in terror stumble near the edge of a steep cliff, but a friend is nearby to grab and hold you. If they let you go, …you die. You are completely dependent! But if you cling back, you are exhaustively delivered from certain death! Often today people are told by someone, “I’ve got you!” That’s the way it is when we get saved. We are falling into danger, and certain death. But God is there to catch us, if we allow Him. If we choose to go past the boundary that God has set, we fall away from help, falling, still falling. Are we captured, or are we yet falling away from Gods Salvation? 1 John 3:1,2 _Tells us about God’s great love, and definition of what separates us from Him. 1 John 2:28,29 Those that abide in Jesus, cannot but do righteous. And we have that hope and confidence, when He appears, we shall be like Him! Sin is no more our desire, or part of the equation. From God’s seed now in us, we now have to obey. Love to obey! “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
It’s not an unkind God to exclude sin, but God’s mercy to keep sin out of being included. It is sin that separates. “To be anything,” (or do whatever) outside God’s law, is nothing less than lawlessness, or sin. For “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.” 1 John 3:8 __This often can be a hard saying for people to accept, but it is actually the mercy of God to not allow sin to be part of Salvation. It is so the devil will no longer be our father. But we are God’s child , when delivered from sin. (Verse 9).
God gave us birth,..He’ll keep us, if we’re willing to choose to abide in Him. He’s got you!