1 John Chapter 3 Discussion Page 3

Dear ron, I hope I could answer you question as well.

When reading Genesis 1 Carefully, it basically talks about the creation of everything out side of Garden of Eden starting from Day 1 to the 6th day. This creation includes the creation of man and women, plants and animals, as well as other creation that give detail in verse 1 and to 30. However, Genesis 2 give account of the creation of Eve and Edam, Garden of Edan, rivers and the trees and plants in it.

Therefore, let us see things this way: there are two sets of creation-a creation in a small world and a creation in a big world.

The first set of creation include human being that was not created by God using his hands as they evolved when God commend and they lived outside of the small world everywhere that is evident in, ( Genesis 4: 13-14).

Eve and Edam came form the second sets of creation and where bound to live within the smaller world which is the Garden of Eden. However, due to their disobedience, they have been forced out-Out where? Out to the big world. They being cast out ( Genesis 3: 23-24) is an evident of second set of creation that they begin to experience and lived with. Because they have been forced out to the big world, Cane fear that people would slay him-Cane fear of people is an evident to some people being created and are already present. God's account of his care and protection also accounted for second creation and evident of human being everywhere as well, ( Genesis 4: 13-14).

Therefore, there are two sets of creations: The first set evolved through God's command and lived everywhere. The second set was the specific creations that God created God lived with them, however due to disobedience they were forced out but still protect them and lived with them.

Paul said he died daily that's what we have to do ask Gods forgiveness we are going to fail but he will forgive us.

Thanks Chris. Not to flatter you, but your answers are always so helpful. I have read many of your comments to others and am always blessed by them. Blessings on you and your family. Merry Christmas !

Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?

Hi Ron. Yes, we've seen similar requests that pertain to God's full 'six days' of creative Work in Genesis 1 and then we see an apparent anomaly in Genesis 2:5. Some have regarded this 'duplication' of man's creation as there being one general creation of mankind (other tribes & people) & then in 2:5, a specific creation of Adam & then Eve. This view then lends support to the apparent existence of the 'cave people' that evolutionists focus on to support mankind's present state, evolving from ape to man.

To understand Scripture in this way, then opens up a another series of questions about this 'other' creation, their relationship to God, their sin (if any), the effect of the great flood & other phenomena upon them, etc. Questions, that we don't find answers to in the Bible, nor any indication that such a dual creation ever existed, as there is never any mention or allusion to them.

My belief is that the Genesis account of creation (chapter 1) is simply to provide us with God's Work of creation over 'six days' & His cessation from creating, on the seventh. Then in chapter 2, the specifics are given, particularly in relation to His sixth day of creation: Man. Since the focus of this early part of Genesis is on Man, any amplification of the creation of the universe, the lights, or the animals had lesser importance.

So here in chapter 2, we're introduced to Adam & told that he would attend to the plants around him & grow crops, the introduction of Eve to be his companion and later in chapter 3, the appearance of Satan to test God's marvellous work. And following chapter 2 to the final Revelation, it's all about Man, his utter spiritual failure & of course, the intervention of God in demonstration of His Love in providing Himself for mankind's redemption & reception into Glory.

I hope I've dealt with your question in the way you expected. If not, then please re-submit for us to consider your further thoughts on this. Every blessing brother.

Chris, glad to see you here! I have a question I would like for you to answer. Im confused as I read Genesis 1:27-29 . and then read Genesis 2:5.where it says there was no man to till the ground. Thanks Chris

Just to clarify a few things you've stated. Yes, you can cure all your children fully & everyone would rejoice in that healing. But, that cure doesn't indemnify them from contracting a further disease or illness. As people in a corrupt body, we will always be subject to physical, mental & emotional traumas, & only physical death will release us from that state. However, the Lord will give us the needed Grace to continue living & to do so joyfully & expectantly because of Who He is: our loving Heavenly Father.

My understanding of God's part in salvation is that the sin nature is never removed; if it were, then we would be sinless, as Jesus was, & which of us could make that claim. Our salvation is dependent on God's forgiveness of our sin because of His Son's Sacrifice. In that sense our sins were taken away for He no longer charges us with them nor holds them to our account. Under the Old Covenant, the blood of animals was only a temporary covering for their sin & to secure God's forgiveness each year ( Hebrews 10:4) & pointed forward when the shed Blood of Jesus would be a once only event ( Romans 6:10), Him being God's Provision of the Perfect Sacrifice that gave total efficacy.

"How can the Holy Spirit dwell inside a corrupt temple". One could also ask how could God choose to dwell between the cherubim & over the Mercy Seat in the earthly Tabernacle? God chose to be there in spite of sinful men around & on a corrupt Earth. Our temple might be corrupt & decaying, but the Spirit gives us a renewed spirit with whom He chooses to dwell beside & minister to. The old nature remains, to which Satan has his appeal, & to whom we battle day after day seeking victory over temptation & sin. For anyone to claim that they never sin after being born again, either doesn't know what sin is or is deluding themselves to believing that that is their state. And I'm not talking about a life of sin, but the sins which comes to all of us & to which we may fail to find victory.

I have children whom I Love very much. If they had a terminal disease and I had the cure, would I cure them ALL at once...(It is Finished)...or would I make them ask me every day for a small dose (repent DAILY)? You realize you are saying that even GOD can't take away All your sin...even those of the flesh. Did you know that the blood of bulls and goats not only FORGAVE sin, but cleansed the flesh from sin for a whole year. The Good News is Remission. The Old Covenant was forgiveness. How can we be Born of God and given a New nature, and still be old sinners still with sin nature. For Jesus said that you are a slave to whom you obey. Also how can the HOLY SPIRIT dwell inside a corrupt temple. For our bodies are the temple of GOD. How about believing the Full Truth. We walk by Faith, not sight. Holy to the Lord!

Scriptures can be Googled. Just type COMMENTARY after it

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord ( Psalm 15:6). It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord for He is good. Jesus said there is none good, but God. Let us praise God with all our soul, energy and strength. When we read the Bible and meditate on spiritual things it brings joy and happiness. All during the day, take time to praise and worship God in the name of Jesus. Know that the Lord takes pleasure in his people ( Psalm 149:4). God created all things to praise Him: angels, sun, moon, stars, heavens, fire, hail, snow, vapour, stormy wind, fulfilling his word, mountains, hills, fruitful trees, beasts, cattle, creeping things, flying fowl: kings, all people, princes, judges, young men and maidens, old men, women and children ( Psalm 148:1-12). The Lord's name is excellent. There is no one like our holy and sovereign God. When I think about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, I feel good, good, good. All during the day, praise the Lord. The best "medicine" comes directly from Jesus as a gift of his mercy, grace, with covered by his love. When you're feeling good -- Praise the Lord. In times of weakness -- Praise the Lord. He is worthy of all praise. Praise lifts our very soul and takes us to heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Absorb the goodness of the Lord in your spirit. God is with us when we love and praise Him. Each day with Christ is a heavenly experience. Talk about God all day and reap spiritual bebefits.

Amen, study romans ch 6,7 and 8

1 John 3:5: "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin."

Verses, as the above, or where we read that Jesus has removed our sins, etc. primarily show us that Jesus' coming & shedding of His Blood, was God's basis to be able to forgive us our sins, Hebrews 9:22. Without Jesus' death & resurrection, payment for sin, hence forgiveness of sin, could never be made. So, in "taking away our sins", it's implied that we're forgiven both at the time of our coming to Christ for salvation & in our on-going experience in our Christian walk. The efficacy of His Blood is available to all who come with their sin, confessing to God.

Being born again of the Spirit, doesn't remove the fact that we're still in bodies of flesh, corrupted by sin. The purpose of the Spirit's Work is to reside in the believer & transform his spirit from one given to sin to one given to holy living. Does this make us sinless & unable to sin? Never. The only way that could happen is if God, in the process of transforming our spirits also gave us new bodies untainted by sin, as in the pre-Fall days. While in this "body of death", temptation to sin will always be at our door - we will always be engaged in war between the spirit & the flesh, Galatians 5:16,17. And at times, we will lose the battle, but thanks be to God Who forgives us & gives us victory through His Son. Our only escape from sin's pull on us is through our death or translation.

It's both. Yes, Jesus offers all of us a free gift, however, it's conditional. The condition is that we believe, repent, confess our sin, accept that Jesus is Lord and God's son, and follow Him. Link

All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death 1 john:5: 16-17

the word of GOD will tell who you because of your character. if we read an with understanding revelation from GOD and obedient.1 JOHN:3 :10,16-18

So which is it? Did Jesus take away all of our sin? Or are we still yet sinners? Have you not read...the flesh profits nothing. Make no provision for the flesh! (Stumbling stone)

Once again, thank you for your great testimony Gary & all that you've shared here. Indeed, the incomprehensible wonder of it all: that God should choose us to be IN HIM even before the foundation of the World, to be holy creatures & without blame before Him; & also being predestined unto the adoption of children through Jesus Christ unto Himself, Ephesians 1:4,5. Thus, as His children, so greatly blessed to have His Spirit indwell us, we can only but cry out "Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant (as serving under the Law that brought judgement & death), but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Galatians 4:6,7. What a privilege we have to be called the children of God & what the full import of that will be when we all stand together in that coming day, in great joy before His Glory having full understanding & in perfect love. We can hardly restrain ourselves awaiting that time ( 1 Corinthians 2:9,10).

And yet, in the flesh, we often fail to restrain ourselves from sin. Even knowing to do good, but not following through with it, it becomes sin to us ( James 4:17). We could cry out with the apostle, "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death?" What a beautiful & correct answer: it's only possible "through Jesus Christ our Lord" ( Romans 7:24,25). It's by Jesus' Blood He cleanses us, by His Spirit He delivers us, & by His Promise He receives us as His children, made worthy to share in His Glory.

Unworthy as we might feel to receive any crown or prize, as the work of Grace in us has been all from Him & of Him, yet as the apostle ran his earthly race, he only saw the prize that lay before him that kept him alert, motivated & on proper course: the prize of his "high calling OF God IN Christ Jesus" ( Philippians 3:14): ultimately to be in the Lord's Presence, finding full rest from his manifold temptations & difficult labours.

Every blessing to you & to Richard - thanks for popping by.

Hello Gary and Chris,

Just wanted to let you know that I very much enjoyed reading all of your posts, both of you, between one another in this thread.

God Bless you my brothers in Christ.

Chris, thanks again for your comments! Excellent example from 1 Corinthians chapter five!

I trusted Jesus at about eight years of age. I was well aware of his presence well before that.

Like most believers, I accepted things of the world as normal and acceptable. Things that most Christians don't see anything wrong with, so they embrace them, without even thinking or realizing that these things are things we should not embrace!

Little things, like listening to pop music!

Who doesn't listen to pop music, right?

But it's total garbage!

It sings about sinful actions, and makes them all sound so natural and normal.

But the natural man is flawed by sin!!! So while it's natural, even normal, it's not acceptable to God, and therefore something believers should avoid!

It all starts little. Baby steps in the wrong direction, fast forward fifty years, and it's amazing I wasn't already turned over to Satan for my flesh to be destroyed! ( No, I wasn't doing that, but my sins were pretty horrible nonetheless !)

I struggled. God was patient!

Things got very bad. My life and marriage nearly ruined.

Sins we commit, don't just hurt us, but they hurt others as well, and they hurt our mission for why we are even here!

All things are created by him and for him!

It DOES MATTER that we resist temptation!!!

Our salvation is secure, but there are still consequences for sinning!!!!

Even though it's not our spirits that are sinning, but our flesh, and even though it's not derailing our salvation, it's having consequences and may well prevent others we were supposed to reach for Christ, from ever coming to be his child!

I don't want to be that guy!!!

I want my Savior to be pleased with my actions in my flesh.

I'm not trying to win a prize, or salvation.

I already have that.

He's already given me the perfect spirit that doesn't sin and cannot be flawed, and unrevokable salvation, kept by his power!

I just want to honor him, and love him for making me his child!

Thanks again Gary - yes, we're on the 'same page' on this very important matter.

Just to clarify what I wrote, that puzzled you: I was thinking of the believer, who, in his war against the enticements of his flesh, simply cannot find the spiritual fortitude & faith in God to be an overcomer. Even his spiritual armour appears weak & useless when in confrontation. Rather than persisting in the battle (for it is a very long & relentless battle that we fight), he continues to weaken, giving further & further into sin, when finally he consoles himself by stating that all cannot be lost as he is still saved & secure through Christ.

My statement may have conveyed the thought that this sinning believer had a defective understanding of his salvation & its permanence. Rather, I hoped that it conveyed, that the sinning believer actually fully trusted in the security of his salvation however that by continuing to sin in the flesh, he believed it would not have an effect on his salvation. I hope this clarifies my wording.

But of course, that type of understanding is very wrong. God's judgement will come upon him if he chooses to surrender in the battle, even though all of Heaven's resources are at his disposal. Indeed, Paul's painful & stern warning came to those who sinned in such manner (with the example of fornication in the Church): 1 Corinthians chapter 5, where such were to be cast back into Satan's domain that the flesh may be destroyed, so that the spirit might one day be saved. (Also seen in 1 Corinthians 11:27).

As you said, sin will come to the believer, but as a Spirit-filled person, he deals with it & certainly never lets it take control, rather allowing the Spirit to minister God's Grace for forgiveness & healing.

Thanks for your comments and sharing of the scripture! Sounds as though we are in agreement about the subject of salvation and the change that takes place the instant that we believe.

However, your following comment I found to be somewhat puzzling:

"Many just give up & submit to the flesh & continue to do so, erroneously believing that "my salvation & eternity are secure through this great transaction".

It is very easy to take this attitude regarding our actions in the flesh, knowing that salvation cannot be lost, it seems much easier to give in to the sinful desires than to stand up against them out of love, honor and obedience to God!

It was pretty much my attitude for the first 50 years or so of my Christianity!

But while I erred in attitude, I was not "erroneous" in my belief that my salvation was secured by the Holy Spirit of God!

God sees us as the new incorruptible spirit he creates with the Spirit of Christ inside us, when he makes us born again!

He no longer sees us as lost sinners with flawed flesh and a dead spirit!

Because his Spirit remains inside of us, we are holy, righteous, incapable of sinning, and we are incorruptible!

If God did not do it this way, making us with an incorruptible new spirit, it would take but one sin to cause us to be lost again, forever!

Because as the scripture explains in Hebrews chapter 6, if a person who is saved could actually lose his salvation by sinning, it would be impossible to save us again! Pointing out once again that it's the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus that covers our debt, FOREVER, once and for eternity!

Thank God our salvation is not dependent upon our sinless walk, because if sin could derail salvation, it would only take one sin!!!

Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifies!

I will say this: If a person has truly trusted in Jesus, they are born again.

A born again Christian sins.

That is inevitable.

But a born again Christian can never lose his salvation!

Thank you Gary for that great & accurate declaration of a believer's condition & standing before God.

Galatians 5:16-18: "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."

The war continually rages between our renewed (born again) spirits & the appeal of carnal flesh. Many just give up & submit to the flesh & continue to do so, erroneously believing that "my salvation & eternity are secure through this great transaction".

Romans 8:8-10: "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness."

The Word is clear: as those born again from above, we live according to direction & power of the Holy Spirit & not inclined towards the appeal of the flesh. Though our bodies are corrupt & decaying because of the effects of sin, one day they too will be renewed in that great Translation Day, in which both spirit & the incorruptible body will be taken away to enjoy eternity with the LORD & His Christ.

Yes, Paul struggled with the pull by the spirit & the flesh, & he called it "a war" between his members (Romans chapter 7). If you were referring to the same brother as I'm thinking of, he also said that Paul's struggle happened when he was still bound in his old nature (as an unregenerate Jew), not having Christ's Spirit. But that chapter doesn't suggest that at all, showing the struggle that exists, indeed must be real & constant, in every believer who is still on this Earth & having the Spirit of Christ in him. Saved sinners are not exempt.

I see so many comments on here. One that really disturbed me was from Bro. D: His saying "if u still sin; your heart is not right.!"

Really? Guess Paul's heart was not right, because he said that he sinned!

All of this born of God stuff in 1st John completely ties together with what Jesus said about being born again!

Jesus said being born again was a must, and the only way we could enter heaven!

Then he told us on down in the same chapter of John three how to be born again!

By believing in him!

If you do, you will never die and you have everlasting life!

It changes you.

You are no longer a dead spirit and flawed flesh, but a brand new spirit that cannot sin!!!

Because you are born of God and his incorruptible seed remains in you !!!

You are incorruptible!!

Perfect!

Holy!

Righteous!

But your old flesh is still flawed!!!

But it no longer counts against you in regard to eternity and your standing with God!!!

But your flesh is still going to die!

It's still desiring to sin!

Still needing to be controlled by you!!!

And this is why Jesus says if we love him, to keep his commandments!

Our spirits cannot sin when we belong to Jesus!

But our flesh can and does!

God tells us to die to the sinful desires of our flesh!

Daily!!!

Our righteousness can never be taken away!

Our salvation can never be lost !!!

Because it is Jesus' righteousness that we have now, not because we stopped sinning, but because he made us born again new spirits that cannot sin, or ever be corrupted like the first spirit was!!!

All because of Jesus!!!!

Our spirit in his Spirit!

We are no longer in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth inside of us! If we don't have the Spirit of Christ inside of us, then we aren't his!!!

Praising the Lord Jesus Christ for giving us his righteousness, and not leaving our salvation subject to failure again by our actions!!!

Salvation is truly a free gift by grace thru faith in Jesus! Guaranteed unloseable, by God.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-7 - Let no man DECEIVE you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin (Antichrist) be revealed, the son of perdition;

What we are seeing on our TVs is a massive FALLING AWAY!! Our Congress has made it illegal to sing in Church: which I am sure Joe Biden will enforce. Churches will start closing due to lack of support. Congress will try to destroy Church tax exempt status.

Large churches cannot allow everyone to attend, due to "COVID" restrictions.

Take a good long look, folks. Without a miracle, our government is planning to get rid of Christians so the BLM, KKK and godless Millennials can have a nation without God. America will have to increase taxes to support "abortions for the whole world". That's a fact by the way. ACLJ dot com.

I call 32 hurricanes in one year a huge sign; as is millions of burned forest acres. Mid size earthquakes are happening near all major fault lines; coral reefs are dying, drought is worsening; our country has sold a million acres of USA farmland to the Chinese to grow food for them: not us. Are your food bills doubling? They gave us corona virus; and swine flu in infected meat imported from China. Our Congress will restore NO SANCTIONS against China for these offenses! Look for it. Read those stories on Google. Don't take my word for it.

Congress plans to Force Israel into a 2-State "peace agreement", which God is AGAINST in scripture!

The Christians are barely awake concerning the last few prophesies that are being fulfilled rapidly. AWAKE SLEEPERS.

All this fighting about every personal interest group, is hastening the Time When The Rapture Will Occur. Only those whose names are in the Lambs Book Of Life are going to be TAKEN up in the Clouds. Pray for the Chinese Christians! They're being imprisoned for owning a Bible or being Christian inside their private homes. THIS is the FALLING AWAY we are seeing.

Read MT.24, Thess, 1,2 John, Daniel

Does the AntiChrist come before the rapture.

It doesn't say. Everyone has to wait and anticipate the pleasures and joy of heaven revealed.

I've always wished I could lay down on green grass under a tree without being crawled in by every bug in the area. Lol

I've always pondered on this one question is - when we as true believers. When we go to heaven will we sleep in heaven?

This chapter is talking about Christians (sons of God) as mentioned in verses 1-2 and it underscores how important it is to keep God's commandments and abide in Him. It's conditional, abiding is a verb, which is something we must do. Grace isn't a free pass to live in the world and enjoy unlimited sin and some twist it to mean that so they can feel better about sinning, but it doesn't say that. If we are obedient and keep God's commandments then we dwell in Him (verse 24). If our heart doesn't condemns us (v21) then we can have confidence of our standing with God, but verse 20 suggests if our hearts condemn us then we shouldn't have confidence in our standing with God. So, God knows our heart and knows if our hearts condemn us and this isn't God saying its totally fine to keep sinning. Not by any means. Satan is working overtime to get people to keep twisting this as long as the end result is you keep sinning and turning your back on God- that's satan's goal and unfortunately it works sometimes. verses 5-9 don't mean it's impossible for Christians to sin, because all sin and fall short, no one is perfect, only Jesus is, but it means God takes away our sin IF... we abide in Him. A Christian is a Christ-follower which is a verb- an action. We must follow his commandments verse 24. So, it underscores how being saved is not a hall pass for unlimited sin and to turn your back on God, unlike the fake news we hear people say these days. It spells it out right here in the Bible.

Just to add to Anthony's good comments, I see in these verses (19-21), the word, 'confidence' as the key. Verse 19: we can be confident before God because it rests on God's Truth. Verse 20: but if for some reason, we sense guilt & condemnation that may come from being 'overly sensitive' to committing some sin, we can rely on God knowing about it & sees/judges our action differently. And verse 21: but if we don't sense that unwarranted condemnation then it shows a true confidence in how God looks at us. Even though John writes here about a believer shutting his heart to those in need, I see the application to any other sin.

This is particularly relevant to many believers, as we so desire to please the Lord in all of our lives, that anything we suspect to have done that is contrary to His Word & His requirements of us, severely disturbs our consciences & spirits. So we can have over-sensitive Christians who actually lead very rigid, sometimes miserable lives, as they constantly assess their spiritual condition before God.

I knew one brother in Christ who maintained this condition & always wondered how he actually coped with living. E.g. time & energy were valuable to him & both were accountable before God: he chastised himself if he made two trips to the fridge to put something in it, when one trip would've sufficed. Another e.g.: he knew his weakness in the sexual realm; if seeing a potentially sin-causing female approaching him, he would immediately cross the road & turn his face away from her, so as to not sin. It was difficult walking alongside him on a sidewalk as this act would occur frequently & I inevitably found myself talking to myself. Now this is a severe & strange behaviour, but akin to how some react to anything that they deem as sinful, but in fact is the result of over-sensitivity. The answer to this, is not to pursue such behaviour, but to trust in God's understanding & judgement. Where clearly sin has been committed, then speedy confession made.

I believe this is our warring of the Spirit. We may feel guilt even after we have asked for true repentance. We ofter find it hard to forgive ourselves, even though we have attained forgiveness. The devil throws up past sins to defeat us, but by the grace and mercy of God they will be remembered no more. John is reminding us that we are free from the bondage of sin, but that our past reminds us of a truly sinful nature.