SEPTEMBER 8
HIS SEED REMAINS IN HIM
1 John 3:9
Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can’t sin, because he is born of God. (WEB)
Today's reading is one of those Bible verses that might make people feel condemned. After all, the Apostle says that whoever is born of God doesn't sin. So, does that mean if you sin, you're not born of God? Absolutely NOT!
We have two natures at work within us once we are born again. We possess our new nature, which is united with Christ, and remnants of our old nature still operate in our soul and flesh. Galatians 5:17 describes the ongoing battle between our new and old natures when it says... For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. (WEB)
The truth is that the new nature within us cannot sin. John explains this by saying that God's 'seed' remains in us. The Greek word for seed that John uses here is 'sperma', which is the root of 'sperm'. God has placed His very own DNA in us, so it is impossible for the 'new you' to miss the mark.
Once we understand that it is not the 'new us' that sins, we no longer have to live under condemnation because Romans 8:1 says, 'there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.' Indeed, the residual effects of your old nature can still influence your mind, your will, and your emotions, leading you to sin. But this isn't the real you anymore. The real you is joined with Jesus Christ, seated in heavenly places at the right hand of the Father (Ephesians 2:6).
The more we live from heaven's perspective, the freer we become to live a life led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14). The more that the Spirit leads us, the less influence our old nature will have. It is our Father's heart that sin no longer has dominion over us (Romans 6:14) because we are under grace. That does not mean we continue in sin... God forbid! He wants us to know that because we are joined with Jesus, sin no longer has power over the new us!
Ephesians 2:4-9
4 But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; 8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, that no one would boast. (WEB)
Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can’t sin, because he is born of God. (WEB)
Today's reading is one of those Bible verses that might make people feel condemned. After all, the Apostle says that whoever is born of God doesn't sin. So, does that mean if you sin, you're not born of God? Absolutely NOT!
We have two natures at work within us once we are born again. We possess our new nature, which is united with Christ, and remnants of our old nature still operate in our soul and flesh. Galatians 5:17 describes the ongoing battle between our new and old natures when it says... For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. (WEB)
The truth is that the new nature within us cannot sin. John explains this by saying that God's 'seed' remains in us. The Greek word for seed that John uses here is 'sperma', which is the root of 'sperm'. God has placed His very own DNA in us, so it is impossible for the 'new you' to miss the mark.
Once we understand that it is not the 'new us' that sins, we no longer have to live under condemnation because Romans 8:1 says, 'there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.' Indeed, the residual effects of your old nature can still influence your mind, your will, and your emotions, leading you to sin. But this isn't the real you anymore. The real you is joined with Jesus Christ, seated in heavenly places at the right hand of the Father (Ephesians 2:6).
The more we live from heaven's perspective, the freer we become to live a life led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14). The more that the Spirit leads us, the less influence our old nature will have. It is our Father's heart that sin no longer has dominion over us (Romans 6:14) because we are under grace. That does not mean we continue in sin... God forbid! He wants us to know that because we are joined with Jesus, sin no longer has power over the new us!
Ephesians 2:4-9
4 But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; 8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, that no one would boast. (WEB)