1 John 3:9-10

1 John 3:9-10

Everyone who has being born out of God does not sin because His seed remains in him and he does not have the power to sin because he has been born of God.  In this it is evident who are the children of God and who are the children of the devil: everyone who does not practice righteousness is not out of God – also the one who does not love his brother.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

John gives us an unusual expression: “His seed remains in him.”  What exactly is God’s seed?  That is a very profound question.  I think it is best answered simply.  God’s seed is His Word.  Think about it.  The Word became flesh and dwelled among us in Jesus Christ.  When Christ was crucified and resurrected, He then sent His Spirit to be with us.  The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ – the living Word of God.  So what is the seed that keeps us from sinning?  Is it Christ?  Is it the Holy Spirit?  Yes, it is all of these things wrapped up neatly in the Word of God.  The closer we dwell to God’s Word and all the depth of meaning that it contains the more we will have God’s seed within us and the more that we will be prevented from sin.

Does the Word dwell in you?  Can you say that this is generally true in your life?  The closer you are to God’s Word are you also further from sin?

Second Thought:

Once more John drives home the point that he made yesterday.  Those who do righteousness are from God.  Those who do not do righteousness are from the devil.  This just makes logical sense.  When we are obedient and submitted before God in our thoughts, words, and deeds then we are clearly from Him!  When we do contrary to God’s will and act out of our own agenda then we certainly aren’t from God!

Where is it evident in your life that you are from God?  Where in your life is that distinction made less relevant?

Third Thought:

At the end of this section John transitions us from obedience to God to a very specific application of obedience to God: brotherly love.  We’ll spend a good deal of time on this topic in the next few days, so I won’t make a big deal of it here.  But see clearly that John is talking about brotherly love – that is, love of God’s children.  We are called to love all those who are in God.  When we do not love others who are in God we are not demonstrating God’s character nor are we demonstrating that we are from God.  The hatred of God’s people does not come from God.  Therefore, it must come from ourselves and even more so the devil.

Is it easy for you to love the people of God?  Are there genuine people of God that you have a difficult time loving?  Do you think God ever has a difficult time loving you?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 John 3:11-12