"No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.” (1 John 3:9)
John continues to hammer the truth into our hearts. To believe in God or as he now phrases it – to be born of God – means we have been changed. Listen to John’s description of those who are born of God:
- everyone who does what is right has been born of Him (1 John 2:29)
- no one who is born of God will continue to sin (1 John 3:9)
- he cannot go on sinning, because he is born of God (1 John 3:9)
- everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God (1 John 4:7)
- everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God (1 John 5:1)
- everyone born of God overcomes the world (1 John 5:4)
- anyone born of God does not continue to sin (1 John 5:18)
No difference remains between word and deed.Belief and action become perfectly united. The new life God brings breathes consistency. This is the miracle of rebirth!
In his gospel, John quotes Jesus saying, “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) Jesus describes a spiritual process. “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:6-7)
Deadened by sin, my true self – my spirit – requires regeneration. Being born of God refers to transformation of the spirit brought about by God’s Spirit.
God in heaven, I believe Your Spirit has the power to change me. Show me how to live in the reality that I have been born of God. Amen
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