1 John 3:4-9: The Great Deception
The Deception of Sin
In 1 John 3:4-9, the apostle John warns believers about the deception of sin and the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God. He writes:
"Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him" (1 John 3:4-6, NIV).
John emphasizes that sin is lawlessness, and it is in direct opposition to God's will. He also reminds us that Jesus came to take away our sins, and that in Him, there is no sin.
The Lie of the Devil
John continues, "Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work" (1 John 3:7-8, NIV).
Here, John warns believers not to be led astray by the lies of the devil, who has been sinning from the beginning. He reminds us that Jesus came to destroy the devil's work, and that those who do what is right are righteous, just as Jesus is righteous.
The Importance of Righteousness
John concludes, "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God's child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister" (1 John 3:9-10, NIV).
In this passage, John emphasizes the importance of living a life of righteousness, which is a hallmark of being a child of God. He reminds us that those who are born of God will not continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them. He also reminds us that doing what is right and loving our brothers and sisters are essential characteristics of being a child of God.
