by Lloyd T. Anderson Pastor, Bethany Baptist Church West Covina, California theory. But the trouble is that if this verse meant what they pretend it does (namely, that it proves a Christian can live practically a sin less life), the verse would prove al together too much. For this verse states that it is true of all believers, that those born of God do not com mit sin. This “whosoever” is just as world-wide, or universal, as the “who soever” of John 3:16. That is the “whosoever” of “sinners” ; this, the “whosoever'’ of “saints.” Every one that believes in Jesus has everlast ing life; for “whosoever” means every one; so every one, none ex cluded, that is born of God does not commit sin. It does not say whoso ever has attained to the second bless ing does not commit sin, nor whoso ever has had the evil nature eradicat ed, but whosoever is born of God, and that includes every believer on the face of the earth, the moment he or she is saved. Therefore, this statement does not speak of any at tainment, or superior spirituality; it is true of all Christians everywhere. Our verse states the simple truth that every one born of God does not live in sin any more. We spoke of that at length when discussing verse 6. But this verse carries the truth even further, by saying that a true be liever cannot sin, for his seed re- maineth in him; he cannot sin, be cause he is born of God. When bom of God the believer receives God’s life and nature, and it is impossible for sin to be attached to the life of God. It is as impossible for the new life in the believer to sin, as it is impossible for the old life not to sin. God is speaking in the verse ab stractly ; He is speaking of what is characteristic of the new life that indwells every believer. The Spirit 31
Siudi&A in I JOHN
Again, referring to verse 8, we rejoice to read that the Son of God was manifested that He might de stroy the works of the devil. Hence, our blessed Lord did exactly the op posite of that which marks Satan. If Satan, who is only a created being, albeit the chief among the angels, aspired to be like the Most High, then our holy Lord, who did not consider it a thing to be grasped at to be equal with God, emptied Him self and took upon Himself the form of a servant. He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Through death He destroyed him that had the power of death; that is, the devil. He destroyed Satan and robbed him of his power by taking that place of deepest humiliation and lowliness. Not by aspiring to be God, as Satan did, but being God, He came down and became Man, so undoing all the awful evil Satan inaugurated. And it is true for us too that the way down is the way up. If we Christians would in our little measure destroy the works of the devil, then we must ever take the humble, lowly place. “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Satan is called the king of the children of pride. Our precious Lord is the king of the children of humility. “Learn of Me,” says He, “for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” A believer must, above all things, dread any feeling of superi ority, or self-exaltation. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” V ERSE 9. This verse has often been employed by those professing Christians who boast that they do not sin any more, to bolster their
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