We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 1 John 5:18
When we first look at this scripture , it may seem challenging or even to some it may seem like a contradiction. How can we still in the flesh never sin? Well I don’t believe this is the intent of this message. While studying this scripture, I encourage you to look at multiple translations and commentaries to get a full context of the scripture.
The first thing we see is the Apostle John makes the statement “Whosoever is Born of God” so what does that mean? Well if we go back and also reference the gospel of John, particularly John Chapter 3, we know the Apostle is referencing being Born Again in Christ. Those who have Born of God, those who are Born Again in Christ, those who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, this is the group John is referring to. Remember Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you can’t see the Kingdom of Heaven” (John 3:3)
Now the next phrase “sinneth not”, “does not keep on sinning”, “does not continue in sin” , this is where looking at the various english translations of the original Greek word “hamartanei” gives us a rounded meaning. So going back to being Born Again, if we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, we are not expected to continue in our same old sins, as we are a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) The world will say “I’m born this way” but Jesus is saying “You must be Born Again” becoming a Christian is not just a religion or profession, its a total transformation in Christ
The question I think most will ask then “Does that mean we never sin as a Born Again Christian”? And of course the answer is no, until we are resurrected into our glorified bodies, we will continue to battle with the flesh (Romans 7) As the Apostle John said earlier “If we say we have no sin, we deceived ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8) However we don’t continue to live in habitual sin as the Apostle Paul taught “And such were some of you, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified by the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 6:11)
Now another way to look at this also is, as we talked about the last post. The only unforgivable sin is “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” if you are Born Again, you will not blasphemy the Holy Spirit as God already lives inside of you. You are already a new creation in Christ, this may be what the Apostle is referencing. It’s also important to remember what the Apostle John taught earlier “I write this that you may not sin, if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ , the righteousness”
Getting the full context of the scriptures, the Apostle is not saying we will never sin again, however if we are Born Again, we won’t remain dead in our sins of before because we are now Alive in Christ (Ephesians 2),as the Lord Jesus Christ said “Go and Sin No More! (John 8:11) Amen!
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