1 John 3:4-6 Breaking God's Law #252

03 Dec 1 John 3:4-6 Breaking God’s Law #252

Posted at 05:00h in Faith by Caroline 0 Comments

As I read and re-read 1 John I can’t help but want to continue to share from it because it’s full of so much truth. Honestly, I think one of the reasons I love 1 John is because it’s straight-forward, but it’s also repetitive and I appreciate the repetition. It helps me to understand just how important the message is. Last week I shared 1 John 3:1 and today I’m sharing 1 John 3:4-6 from the Passion Translation which says, “Anyone who indulges in sin lives in moral anarchy, for the definition of sin is breaking God’s law. And you know without a doubt that Jesus was revealed to eradicate sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in union with him will not sin. But the one who continues sinning hasn’t seen him with discernment or known him by intimate experience.”

I love how verse 4 defines sin as “breaking God’s law.” It puts it into perspective when it’s described that way. The footnote for verse 4 actually says “whoever commits sin commits evil, for sin is absolutely evil.” This verse then goes on to point out that Jesus came to eradicate sin, which means the only way to find true forgiveness and freedom from sin is through Jesus Christ.

I want to point out that these verses are referring to a person whose sin is persistent and habitual, not the person who slips up once. I want to also remind you that true repentance after sin happens when you actually change your ways. If someone sins, repents and continues to live a life of sin then they are just lying to themselves and their Father. Which is what verse 6 says, “but the one who continues sinning hasn’t seen him with discernment or known him by intimate experience.” The NIV translation of verse 6 says, “No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” Although a person might call themselves a Christian, a life full of sin proves that the person really doesn’t know Christ.

All throughout 1 John, we are reminded of the power of walking in the light and the danger of walking in the dark. This verse definitely makes the point that there is no way a person who is living a lifestyle of habitual sin is living in life-union with the Father. So, what about you? Do you understand the significance of what Jesus paid for on the cross? Do you understand the importance of living free from sin? If you are someone who is currently facing a habitual sin, don’t let these verses condemn you. Instead, know that Jesus paid for you to live a life of freedom. If you need, seek counsel from a Bible-believing pastor or friend who can help you walk from the dark into the light.