The beloved disciple of Jesus, John, seems to be repeating himself, but perhaps he is reinforcing this very big point…you can’t keep on walking in sin as if it is no big deal. If you can, you may not be a child of God—

Remember, John’s audience is the young church—believers. But, as in any church today, as was my own story, there are those sitting on the pews, who may have sat there for years, but who may not truly know the Lord in saving faith. They may think they do, but they may not—

“Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:7-9)

I have had long, frustrating conversations with church-goers who are unwilling to walk away from sin. They love to say, “None of us are perfect, and we just have to do the best we can.”

They’ve heard this preached in grace-heavy, truth-light churches.

And, this, on the surface is true. However, and what’s rarely mentioned by some with large platforms, is that if you can walk in what God calls sin as a habit or a lifestyle, if you can practice it and plan on it, and it not wear you out, you need to ask yourself if you are truly saved.

Are you really a child of God or do you look more like a child of the devil (1 John 3:10)?

I know those aren’t politically correct words, but they are eternally worthy of consideration.

God, through John, points out this uncomfortable truth —if you can be comfortable in sin you may not be a child of God.

Maybe you’re too busy to think about that today? But what if this day were to be your last?

Maybe your sin feels all comfortable to you and it would take a lot to walk away from what you’ve got yourself into.

Well, let me tell you, I’ve seen people do it! I’ve seen them drop those heavy chains of sin and run like newborn calves —free and full of JOY! (Mal 4:2)

Yes! You can refute the lies of the enemy! You can walk away from sin and towards all the good things —more than you can imagine good things —God has planned for you as you follow Him and are called according to His purposes. (Eph 3:20-21, Rom 8:28).

You can because God will help you. As you look to Him, He will make a way to flee any temptation you face (1 Cor 10:13). He is your way out. His ways are better (Isa 55:8-9) . His hope is sure. And His love is eternal.

A good first step is to pray and confess your sin and ask God to forgive you and to help you not return to that sin (the Bible says like a dog returns to his vomit In Proverbs 26:11). Ask the Lord to help you see that sin to be as appealing as vomit; and then go and tell a godly friend who can help you remember this great decision you’ve made to follow God and flee sin’s destructive snare. You won’t regret it!

And if, like so many, you are praying for someone else to find this real freedom, don’t stop! God hears your prayers. He loves our loved ones more than we do. Nothing is too hard for Him and He is absolutely at work in ways we cannot see. Let’s keep hoping in the One who saved us to save those we love!

read1John

Note – this is a continuation of my study of 1 John.