I John 3:8-9 (Part 2)

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Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.

THE STUDY:

John’s language starts to turn a little passionate. This sentence is not to be read as an explanation but more so as a demonstrative point! Parents can understand this idea. We would say, “Clean your room because we have company coming over!” We say it with a firm and passionate tone. We are saying it not necessarily because we have company coming over but due to the fact that we may have repeated it over and over earlier. This statement is made due to the fact that they are not listening and we want to get their attention.

John is basically doing the same thing to his children in this letter. When we look at the Greek we can see it! The reason Christ came was for the purpose (eis touto, unto this) of conquering sin.^[1] The word “appeared” phaneroō  in the Greek means “to bring to light so as to make clear.” The problem with false teachers was not that the gospel was unclear to them, but that they had their own theological/philosophical agenda.^[2]

The purpose of Jesus’ appearance in time and flesh was “to destroy the works of the devil.” This means “to loose,” “to unbind,” or “to destroy.” Jesus did just that on Calvary, but humans must respond to His finished work and free gift by receiving Him by faith (cf. John 1:12).^[3]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that the world will look at Christ in us and not understand. We understand because we have the light which makes things clear to us. Don’t be disheartened because friends and family members don’t understand why you do what you do for Jesus. If they are not believers of the faith, Jesus tells us they will not understand, At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children (Matt. 11:25). But for us who are followers of Christ, He says, Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. (John 24:45)

CONCLUSION:

My prayer for all us today is that the Holy Spirit would work through us today so that many would come to the faith and their minds would be open to “understand.” You might be reading this morning and saying, I don’t understand the ways of Christ! Ask Him to open your mind so that you may understand clearly His ways.         

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (117). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

^[2] Utley, R. J. D. (1999). Vol. Volume 4: The Beloved Disciple's Memoirs and Letters: The Gospel of John, I, II, and III John. Study Guide Commentary Series (221). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

^[3] Utley, R. J. D. (1999). Vol. Volume 4: The Beloved Disciple's Memoirs and Letters: The Gospel of John, I, II, and III John. Study Guide Commentary Series (221). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.