David_Jeremiah2.htm

DAVID JEREMIAH

HOW CAN YOU BE SURE OF YOUR SALVATION

KEY EXCERPTS FROM HIS YOUTUBE

[WITH COMMENTARY BY BIBLESTUDYMANUALS]

‘’’1 Jn 3:7 says, “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.” ‘’’

[BLUE FONT: ANSWER FROM biblestudymanuals.net

But this does NOT say that you must practice righteousness in order to go to heaven!!!!!! It just says, “He [a believer because only a believer can practice righteousness, albeit a believer’s actions are not going to be perfect in this mortal life so his righteousness will be relative righteousness short of God’s perfect Righteousness - but by the grace of God his actions will be credited with God’s perfect Righteousness] who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He [God] is righteous.

Although no child of God, born of God can claim to have moments of sinless perfection - nor can one claim at any time to have a nature that is perfect Righteousness in order to produce perfect godly Righteousness, (1 Jn 1:8-10); nevertheless the relatively righteous acts of the child of God, born of God, albeit imperfect, through confession, (1 Jn 1:9), are cleansed from all unrighteousness and accounted to the child of God, born of God to be the Righteousness of God through the grace of God and the blood of His Son (1 Jn 1:7), via such means, in accordance with author John's First Epistle as follows:

Children of God, born of God are cleansed from all unrighteousness by virtue of walking in the Light of God's Absolute Righteousness and confessing ones sins while endeavoring, albeit imperfectly - without perfect moments without sin: 1) to keep / abide in His commandments / His Word; 2) to walk as He walked; 3) to express agapE love toward the fellow children of God, born of God; 4) to have the sure hope of His appearing and of being like Him when He does so, (ref. 1 Jn 1:5-7; 2:3-10, 24-29; 3:2-3).]

1 jn 3:10 “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God.”

[But this does NOT say that if you do not practice righteousness you are not a child of God and are not going to heaven!!!!! It is just saying that one who is a believer who does not practice righteousness – is not acting of God whether believer or unbeliever. Becoming a Christian and entrance into heaven does not depend upon anything but a moment of faith alone in Christ alone to have paid for ones sins and that is all!!!! So when a believer sins he is not acting of God, he nevertheless has an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous and may confess his sins, (1 Jn 1:9), and be forgiven and purified from all unrighteousness and restored to blessings / fellowship with God in his temporal life and also rewarded in eternity, (1 Jn 1:9; 2:1)]

Now the word practice means that’s to your lifestyle, that’s what you do. The bible says that when you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, and receive Him into your life, something happens to you and you change. You can’t be the same.

[The bible does NOT say that when you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, and receive Him into your life that you become a Christian / saved unto eternal life – it only stipulates, therefore it only requires a moment of faith alone in Christ alone + nothing else!!!!! Jn 3:16 and dozens of verses in Scripture say this. Anything else and you just DON’T GET SAVED!!!!!!

Nor is there a guarantee that a believer will indeed change his lifestyle to a godly one or any other kind of change toward godliness; nor does God’s Word say that after you become a Christian, “you can’t be the same” as you were before you got saved. That is just not true. Know any Christians that have completely departed from being his old self? Paul lamented that he did not become changed: read Romans chapter 7 about his Christian life after he got saved!!!! As a matter of fact, the reception of Jesus into your life is a matter of works / an ongoing effort by the individual which DISQUALIFIES YOUR SALVATION because one is saved by grace, through faith and that salvation is NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God NOT BY WORKS, (Eph 2:8). God’s Word repeatedly indicates that a moment of faith alone in Christ alone for forgiveness of sins and you are immediately and forever in possession of eternal life WITHOUT HAVING TO CONFESS, RECEIVE HIM INTO YOUR LIFE, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE. As a matter of fact if you do anything else but express a moment of faith alone in Christ alone to receive eternal life, you cancel out God’s Grace Salvation. Compare Romans 11:6 (NASB) “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.” and REMAIN UNDER ETERNAL CONDEMENATION.

Furthermore, there is no passage in the Bible that guarantees that a believer’s life will change toward godliness. That is up to the believer to make an effort.

Dozens and dozens of places in the Bible tell the reader how to have eternal life – by a simple moment of faith alone in Jesus Christ alone plus nothing else!!!! Not one says to confess Jesus Christ as your Savior or to ask Him to forgive you in order to go to heaven. To read this into Romans 10:9-10 for example is wrong. In view in Romans chapter 10 is justification by faith alone AND THEN THE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONFESS JESUS AS LORD AMONGST A NUMBER OF THINGS TO RECEIVE BLESSINGS IN THIS LIFE, DELIVERANCE FROM DIFFICULTY AND ETERNAL REWARDS IN THE NEXT LIFE.

The latter is a second kind of salvation / deliverance / blessing in view once one is justified / saved unto eternal life by faith alone which Paul has been teaching for 9 chapters up to chapter 10. Has Paul changed his mind and added confession in order to have eternal life????? Nonsense [

]. You cannot wrench these two verses out of context in Romans chapter 10 and have them contradict what Paul has been preaching for 9 previous chapters: justification by faith alone unto eternal life, plus nothing else. There are numerous verses throughout the Bible that declare a moment of faith alone in Jesus Christ alone unto eternal life + nothing else. You can start with Jn 3:16 which states, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him – literally that whoever is the believing one in Him – should never perish but have immediate possession of eternal life forever no matter how faithful or not. Recall that sins are NEVER the issue for Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world; personal forgiveness is the issue and requires a moment of faith in Christ to that end which results in eternal life.

When you believe in Christ to save you from your sins unto personal forgiveness unto eternal life, you immediately have forever possession of eternal life no matter what because eternal life is eternal and forever in duration from the moment it is begun, (Jn 3:16 et al. For no further requirements are stipulated for the individual to do. Dozens of passages in the Bible indicate this [

] that’s what you need Him for – to fulfill His promise of eternal life for all those who believe in Him for forgiveness of sins.
Compare biblestudymanuals.net/clear_salv_psgstc.htm

]

Now when He comes to live within you, stuff starts to change.

[God the Holy Spirit’s coming to live within the believer is no guarantee that “stuff starts to change” It is the Holy Spirit Who comes within your human spirit to inspire you to live faithfully but nothing is automatic and requires the believer’s voluntary participation. It it were to be automatic, then why all the epistles in Scripture commanding, exhorting the believer to grow in the faith]

I mean, … you’ve heard stories, I became a Christian, I threw all my alcohol away, I threw all my cigarettes away, got all my girly magazines and burned them up. And I did it that day…. That does not happen for most people. That’s really unusual. Most people get saved. And what happens when you get saved, the Holy Spirit sets up shop in your heart.

[He indwells your human spirit, not your heart. The heart pumps blood.]

And He starts working on you little by little, He cleans this up over here, He changes this over here, He gets this attitude right. Makes that relationship better. And little by little you notice things are happening in your life. You are being changed. You are being transformed. You are not being reformed. If you were being reformed that would be something from the outside in. No, transformation is from the inside out. It’s an inside out job because Jesus Christ now lives within you. When He comes to live within you, He makes you into a different person.

[None of this is accurately portrayed in Scripture as automatic. The believer may or may not cooperate and grow in the faith - and to what extent? There are NO guarantees that peoples’ lives who become Christian will change toward godliness to any degree, albeit Christians are indeed commanded, instructed to grow in godliness and in the faith. The Bible admonishes / instructs believers innumerable times to grow in godliness / in the faith which indicates that there are indeed no guarantees. As a matter of fact no believer can claim to lead a godly life without sin at any moment in his temporal life – but he must confess known sins moment to moment to moment in order to stay in fellowship with God, (1 Jn 1:8-10)]

If you are not sure of your salvation…..

Heb 6:11; 10:22; 2 Pet 1:10; 1 Jn 5:13; 1 Jn

How do you know you are a Christian? How do you know that you have been born of God?
The birthmarks of a Christian …

5 birthmarks of a Christian - 5 ways that you can know for sure that you have been born again, that you are a Christian.

[WRONG WRONG WRONG. There is only one way you can know for sure that you have been born again, that you are a Christian:

(1 Jn 5:13

) The Phrase That Begins 1 Jn 5:13, "These Things I Wrote To You" Refers To The Testimony Of God That Eternal Life Is In His Son Through A Moment Of Faith Alone In Him Alone Which John Wrote About To Those Who Have Believed On The Name Of The Son Of God: Children Of God, Born Of God; So That As They Determine To Recall That They Believed On The Name Of The Son Of God For Eternal Life, They May Know That They Have Eternal Life And Continue To Believe So That They May Then Be Better Enabled To Choose The Means Available To Them To Have Fellowship With God And With One Another According To Scripture - The Subject Of John's Epistle

(1 Jn 5:13 KJV) "These things [I wrote to] you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that [you] may know that [you] have eternal life, [unto believing] on the name of the Son of God." =

The phrase in 1 Jn 5:13a rendered "These things I wrote to you that believe on the name of the Son of God," establishes to whom John is writing, which throughout this epistle continues to be those who have believed on the name of the Son of God unto eternal life, (1 Jn 5:1-12), i.e., children of God, born of God, (ref. 1 Jn 2:1-2; 5:1).

And the verse goes on to say that during those times when children of God, born of God determine to recall that they have believed in the name of the Son of God and Him alone for eternal life, they can know that they have eternal life; and this assurance by God is given to encourage His children, born of Him to continue to believe in the name of God's Son so that they may then be better enabled to choose the means available to them to have fellowship with God and with one another according to Scripture. The Source of the child of God, born of God's knowing that he has eternal life is God Himself as testified to in Scripture - especially in 1 Jn 5:13.

This knowing - this assurance of ones salvation which comes from God is prompted within the child of God, born of God while he is recalling in his mind that he has believed in the Son of God for eternal life. And as children of God, born of God continue to believe in the name of the Son of God and Him alone for eternal life, they may then be better enabled to choose the means available to them to have fellowship with God and with one another according to Scripture - the subject of John's epistle. Without the assurance of eternal life, there is no fellowship for children of God, born of God with God or one with another. For without assurance of ones salvation which rests upon God alone through the name of His Son alone, one looks in all the wrong places for that assurance instead of trusting in God for it - an out of fellowship position. Hence being in fellowship with God is an all important factor in the lives of children of God, born of God as taught throughout this epistle; and it is the stated purpose of this epistle, (1 Jn 1:1-4).

Author John wrote at the beginning of the epistle, in 1 Jn 1:4, "These things [referring to the entire epistle] we [apostles] wrote" reflecting upon the statement in verse 1:3: "so that you too [children of God, born of God] may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ."
On the other hand the words rendered "these things I wrote to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that [you] may know that [you] have eternal life," in 1 Jn 5:13 which words are addressed to children of God, born of God, portray an assurance within them of having eternal life based on their knowing that they have believed on the name of the Son of God which assurance is uniquely and absolutely trustworthy because it is based on the testimony of God Himself, (ref. 1 Jn 5:6-8) - He alone is the source of that assurance. It does not depend upon the faithfulness of the child of God, born of God which can waiver and is never without fault, (1 Jn 1:8, 10). The assurance to children of God, born of God in 1 Jn 5:13 rests upon the reliability of the testimony of God alone which is prompted by their recall of having expressed a moment of faith alone on the name of the Son of God for eternal life.

Note that there is no merit in the faith that an individual expresses in the name of the Son of God. Saving faith is non-contributory toward one's salvation unto eternal life

. Furthermore, there is not a specific kind of faith that saves, as opposed to another kind that does not

.

So the phrase "these things I wrote to you," in verse 13a does not include the content of the entire epistle, as some contend. There are other places in John's epistle that refer to what author John has written that also have in view a near reference - immediately preceding material - and not the whole epistle, (ref. 1 Jn 2:1, 12-14, 26). It all depends upon context.

The other issues which are not in view in 1 Jn 5:6-13, such as testing the spirits, (1 Jn 4:1-6); loving the brethren, (1 Jn 2:10; 3:14, 18-19; 4:7-12); studying and abiding in God's Word, (1 Jn 2:3-14, 24; 3:2-3, 24, 27; Jn 14:23); walking in the same manner as Jesus walked, (1 Jn 2:3-14, 24; 3:2-3, 24, 27; Jn 14:23); confessing sins, (1 Jn 1:7-10); looking forward to Christ's appearing, (1 Jn 2:28; 3:2); not loving the things of the world, (1 Jn 2:15); confessing the Father and the Son - that the Son came in the flesh, (1 Jn 2:23); knowing that God is Light, (1 Jn 1:5-7; 2:29; 3:5) are related relative to being in fellowship with God. None of these other things provide the absolute assurance that one has eternal life that 1 Jn 5:9-13 does - by simply determining to recall that one has expressed a moment of faith alone in the name of the Son of God and Him alone for eternal life - for those who have trusted in the Absolute Reliablity of the promise of God of eternal life, according to Scripture.]

‘1) The birthmark of confession
1 Jn 5:1 “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”
You have to confess this with your mouth and have to ask Him to be your Savior

[Wrong. All you have to do is precisely what the verse above says, “believe that Jesus is the Christ” and you are immediately born of God unto eternal life forever. Confession is NOT stipulated in this verse. No need to editorialize this verse to force one to confess with your mouth and ask Him to be your Savior. If you do either you cancel out becoming a Christian because you are saved by grace, and that salvation is not of yourselves – not of confession or of asking to be saved, it is the gift of God, not by works – not of yourselves – not of any human doing. Confession and asking Jesus to be your savior is works, of yourselves, contributory and disqualifies the grace basis for receiving eternal life. Compare Romans 11:6 (NASB) “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.”

(1 Jn 5:1a) WHOEVER IS THE BELIEVING ONE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST - A SINGLE MOMENT OF BELIEVING TO BECOME THE BELIEVER UNTO BECOMING BORN OF GOD IS IN VIEW
THE STATEMENT THAT JESUS IS "THE CHRIST" DEFINES HIM IN SCRIPTURE AS BOTH GOD AND MAN - AS "THE ANOINTED ONE," "THE MESSIAH" OF GOD, "THE ONE AND ONLY, UNIQUE SON OF GOD," WHO MADE A PROPITIATION FOR THE SINS OF ALL MANKIND; AND THROUGH A MOMENT OF FAITH IN HIM - IN HIS PROPITIATION OF SINS - ONE HAS ETERNAL LIFE

THE OLD TESTAMENT TESTIFIES TO THE ANOINTED SERVANT - THE CHOSEN ONE OF THE LORD, GOD THE RIGHTEOUS ONE, THE HOLY ONE, THE SON OF MAN, THE REDEEMER OF ISRAEL WHO WILL BE BORN AS A CHILD, A SON OF ISRAEL. HE WILL BE EXECUTED AND THEREBY BEAR THE INIQUITIES OF ALL MANKIND, AND JUSTIFY MANY, BRINGING SALVATION TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, JUSTICE TO THE NATIONS EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS. AND HE SHALL RULE THE WORLD FOREVER - HIS NAME WILL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, ETERNAL FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE

(1 Jn 5:1 NASB) "Whoever believes [lit., whoever is the believing one] that Jesus is the Christ [has been born] of God, and whoever loves [lit., whoever is the one who is loving] the Father [lit., the One Who gave birth to him] loves the child [having been born] of Him."]

‘2) The birthmark of change
1 Jn 2:29 “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.“
You cannot be the same before you were saved. You have to change.

[This verse and no passage stipulates “You cannot be the same before you were saved. You have to change.” No Christian is required to change in some manner in order to qualify to have eternal life and enter heaven. Albeit Christians are commanded to be faithful, that command does not need to be fulfilled in order to have / keep on having eternal life.

(1 Jn 2:29) WHILE CHILDREN OF GOD, BORN OF GOD CONTINUE TO KNOW, I.E., ACKNOWLEDGE THAT GOD IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHTEOUS; THEY CAN THEMSELVES DO RIGHTEOUS ACTS AND DISCERN RIGHTEOUS ACTS BEING DONE BY OTHERS AND KNOW THAT THOSE OTHERS ARE ALSO BORN OF GOD

(1 Jn 2:29 NASB) "If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who [does acts of] righteousness is born of Him." =

The Greek words "ean eidEte" rendered "If you know" in the NASB with the verb "eidEte" in the perfect tense, subjunctive mood, (lit., 'If you have known," = having believed in the Absolute Righteousness of God and consequently in His Son for eternal life in the past with an ongoing benefit of discernment of righteousness so long as one stands firm in that knowledge attained when one became a child of God, born of God, (1 Jn 2:1-2; 1 Jn 5:9-13 ; Jn 1:12-13). And since "eidEte" is in the subjunctive mood, it signifies objective possibility, i.e., maybe one who is a child of God, born of God will continue to know or maybe he will not continue to know that God is Absolutely Righteous.

The second phrase, 1 Jn 2:29b, indicates that those children of God, born of God who "know that God is righteous" are able to discern righteous acts in others by observing their behavior. And it indicates that those doing the righteous acts are themselves born of God. This is not to say that all those who cannot be so discerned as doing righteousness are all not born of God. There is always the possibility of thoughts and actions of righteousness that are not discernible by fellow believers or of unfaithfulness amongst the body of born of God, children of God, hence the subjunctive mood in 1 Jn 2:29, (cf. 1 Jn 1:8, 10). Instructions to believers to continue to learn, obey, stand corrected, be reproved, confess sins, etc., in the Word of God - through the leading of the Holy Spirit might be and often are ignored. If one is not for the moment observed as doing acts of righteousness, it does not mean that that one is not born of God. For no one in their mortal life can claim to be without sin nor have perfect knowledge and perfect obedience to the Word of God, nor claim to be omniscient / perfect in ones observations of another relative to their doing acts of righteousness or being born of God, (1 Jn 1:8, 10; 2:1). Nevertheless a child of God, born of God remains saved because God has promised it:

1) [Ref 1 Jn 2:25]:

(1 Jn 2:25 NKJV) "And this is the promise that He has promised us - eternal life."
Since author John had declared in 1 Jn 1:5b that "God is Light (Righteousness) and in Him is no darkness (evil) at all;" a doctrine in which all children of God, born of God must exercise faith in order to believe in His Righteousness as credible in His act in providing His Son as a sacrifice for their sins in order from each one of them to become a child of God, born of God;

and since John referred to the antichrists' heretical teachings which includes their false teaching that the nature of God contains both light and darkness in the sense of good and evil, thereby discrediting God as not trustworthy - not Absolutely Righteous;

then John has evidently in mind in 1 Jn 2:29 that his readers - children of God, born of God must stand firm in their faith "that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all" - affirming that they are abiding in God's Word, hence in fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ, (1 Jn 2:24). And they must do this in order to discern righteous words and actions in another; otherwise their own unfaithful, convoluted light / dark reasoning would not reveal whether or not an act is truly righteous.

So if a child of God, born of God does stand firm in the faith that God is Absolutely Righteous then author John wrote "you know that everyone also who [does acts of] righteousness is born of Him, i.e., born of God, (ref. 1 Jn 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18 [twice]). The word rendered "also" implies that the child of God, born of God who continues to acknowledge God's Absolute Righteousness can do acts of righteousness himself and can discern the righteous acts of other children of God, born of God and determine that they are also born of God.

Despite remaining in mankind's fallen condition, children of God, born of God may walk in fellowship with God by walking in the Light of God's Absolute Righteousness - not according to it in sinless perfection; but in the sense of

(1) acknowledging that God is Perfect Light / Absolute Righteousness, (1 Jn 1:5-7); and

(2) acknowledging their sinful shortcomings before a Holy God, (1 Jn 1:8-10);
and while they are walking in that Light they can know that they are righteous and discern righteous acts in others - not by what they feel such as by some kind of supernatural power taking control of them like an expression of an imagined spiritual gift, as some contend - but by trusting in what Scripture says about the matter: For Scripture says that the blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses each of them from the temporal sin they are acknowledging and from all unrighteousness, (1 Jn 1:5-10).

On the other hand, this is conditioned upon the accuracy of what children of God, born of God think another is saying and doing. Appearances due to the lack of the knowledge of details behind what is observed can be deceiving. And children of God, born of God neither have God's Absolute Knowledge of another's eternal and temporal position with Him, nor what God knows about another's understanding, motivation and faith. And this is further limited by what the child of God, born of God has as an accurate understanding of what Scripture teaches on the matter at hand - in accordance with their faithfulness in following the rules by which the words of God's Word were composed .

2) [Review of First John relative to 1 Jn 2:29]:

a) study / abide in God's Word - be careful to keep His commandments, and thereby abide in God / Jesus Christ - hence walk in the same manner as Jesus Christ by the grace of God, (1 Jn 2:3-14, 24; 3:2-3, 24, 27; Jn 14:23);

b) determine what to say to others from Scripture, (1 Jn 2:14, 24);

c) care for the unsaved and share their faith with them with an agapE, godly love, (1 Jn 2:24; Mt 28:19-20);

d) express agapE, godly love toward the brethren and thereby affirm to themselves that by the grace of God they know God and are born of God and that they know that God's love is perfected / made complete in them, (1 Jn 2:10; 3:14, 18-19; 4:7-12);

e) confess their sins while walking in the Light of God's Absolute Righteousness, (1 Jn 1:5-10);

f) be assured because they are children of God, born of God that their sins are forgiven unto eternal life and unto temporal fellowship with God, (1 Jn 1:9, 2:12);

g) look forward to Christ's appearing and thereby be assured of their eternal destiny, (1 Jn 2:28; 3:2);

h) not love the world or the things in it, (1 Jn 2:15);

i) know that they are children of God, born of God unto eternal life because the world hates them like it hated Christ - implying that they are endeavoring to abide in God - in His Word, (1 Jn 3:13);

j) confess the Father and the Son - acknowledging truths from Scripture about them, and especially the Son having come in the flesh, (1 Jn 2:23);

k) know that God is Light - that He is Absolute Righteousness; and in Him there is no darkness, no unrighteousness at all, (1 Jn 1:5-7; 2:29; 3:5);

l) know that they are children of God, born of God because they have the sure hope of eternal life fixed upon the Son of God, (1 Jn 2:28; 3:2-3);

m) test the spirits through Scripture to determine if they are from God, (1 Jn 4:1-6); etc.]

‘3 The birthmark of compassion
1 Jn 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”

[Know any Christian who loves all other Christians, and everyone that God loves? If this were the case when one becomes a Christian, then there would be no need for God’s Word, especially the epistles which give detailed instructions to Christians on how to behave in a godly manner, and love all Christians. But no passage demands that Christians love other Christians in order to be born of God or to stay as a Christian.
Let’s take a deeper look at 1 Jn 4:7 and endeavor to read it properly:

(1 Jn 4:7) BELOVED, (CHILDREN OF GOD, BORN OF GOD), ARE EXHORTED TO EXPRESS AGAPE, GODLY LOVE TOWARD ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE AGAPE, GODLY LOVE COMES FROM GOD; AND EVERY CHILD OF GOD, BORN OF GOD WHO EXPRESSES GODLY LOVE TOWARD ANOTHER, ALBEIT IMPERFECTLY - WITHOUT PERFECT MOMENTS WITHOUT SIN, DEMONSTRATES THAT HE IS BORN OF GOD. AND BY THIS EXPRESSION HE DEMONSTRATES KNOWING GOD BEYOND HIS SALVATION EXPERIENCE

(1 Jn 4:6 NASB) We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 Jn 4:7 NASB) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God,"

Note that 1 Jn 3:24-4:6 is a parenthetical instruction which interrupts author and apostle John's exhortation to children of God, born of God to love one another begun at 1 Jn 3:1. The parenthetical instruction to children of God, born of God was to test the spirits, i.e., to test thoughts, words or deeds that the children of God, born of God observe in order to determine which come from God and which do not, evidently by comparing them with Scripture; whereupon 1 Jn 4:7 resumes the subject of children of God, born of God expressing agapE, godly love toward one another:

2) [Compare 1 Jn 3:23-4:6 with 4:7]:

(1 Jn 3:23 NASB) [And] this is His commandment, that we [may] believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He commanded us. (1 Jn 3:24 NASB) "[And] the one who [guardedly] keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, [out of] the Spirit Whom He [gave] us. (1 Jn 4:1 NASB) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world: (1 Jn 4:2 CBL Interlinear) by this [by testing the spirits] the Spirit of God is being made known. Every spirit that confesses ... Jesus.as Christ [having come] in the flesh is from God; (1 Jn 4:3 NASB) and every spirit that does not confess Jesus, is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. (1 Jn 4:4 NASB) You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 Jn 4:5 NASB) They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. (1 Jn 4:6 NASB) We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 Jn 4:7 NASB) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." =

Since 1 Jn 3:24-4:6 has in view the instruction of children of God, born of God including the apostles to test the spirits, i.e., to test thoughts, words or deeds that come to mind, to see if they are from God;
and since the subject of children of God, born of God expressing agapE, godly love for one another was interrupted at the end of 1 Jn 3:23 and then resumed at verse 7, beginning with the endearment rendered, "Beloved," indicating that children of God, born of God are in view;

and since the phrase "Let us love one another," in 1 Jn 4:7b is an exhortation to children of God, born of God to love one another with an agapE, godly love - of giving sacrificially of oneself toward fellow children of God, born of God in order that God's will might be accomplished - something which unbelievers cannot do because they are not fellow children of God, born of God, nor has God enabled them to express godly, agapE love;

then it is true that children of God, born of God are in view in 1 Jn 4:8 and that they at times will neither love one another, nor know God in a fellowship relationship with Him. Otherwise there would be no need for this exhortation.

Furthermore, since no one is able to accurately discern whether or not one is born of God because there is nobody qualified in the human race to accurately perform or pass such a test except Jesus Christ Himself, Who is Wholly born of God, (1 Jn 3:9);

and since no child of God, born of God in his mortal body can conduct himself without being sinful and thereby express perfect agapE, godly love toward another; or be perfectly discerning as to whether or not another is born of God, (1 Jn 1:5-10);

then 1 Jn 4:7 cannot be a reliable human test to see if another person is born of God, as some contend.
The only actual test of a person's salvation that author John and Scripture provides is the test of whether or not an individual expressed and recalls that expression of a moment of faith alone in Christ alone unto eternal life - albeit an imperfect self-test of the child of God, born of God, (1 Jn 5:1, 9-13 ).

Nevertheless, since the agapE, godly love that a child of God, born of God is exhorted to express toward a brother comes from God, then if the expression is in accordance with Scripture it can be an indicator, albeit an imperfect one, to the child of God, that he is born of God and knows God beyond his salvation experience.

3) [Compare 1 Jn 1:5-10]:

(1 Jn 1:5 NKJV) "This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

(1 Jn 1:6 NASB) If we [should] say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not [do] the truth;

(1 Jn 1:7 NASB) but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, [One = God, with another = with each of we believers walking in the light], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

(1 Jn 1:8 NASB) If we [should] say that we have no sin, we [deceive] ourselves and the truth is not in us.

(1 Jn 1:9 NASB) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(1 Jn 1:10 NASB) If we [should] say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us."

In view of the above passage in 1 Jn 1:5-10, despite remaining in mankind's fallen condition, children of God, born of God may walk in fellowship with God by walking in the Light of God's Absolute Righteousness - not according to it in sinless perfection; but in the sense of

(1) acknowledging that God is Perfect Light / Absolute Righteousness, (1 Jn 1:5-7); and

(2) acknowledging their sinful shortcomings before a Holy God, (1 Jn 1:8-10);
and while they are walking in that Light they can know via trusting in what Scripture says about the matter - and not what they feel such as by some kind of supernatural power taking control of their actions like an expression of a spiritual gift: that they have temporal fellowship with God and with one another who are walking in that Light. Furthermore, Scripture says that the blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses each of them from the temporal sin they are acknowledging and from all unrighteousness, (1 Jn 1:5-10).

So whatever children of God, born of God do in the name of God while they walk in the Light of God's Absolute Righteousness, and are expressing agapE, godly love for others, in accordance with that which they have properly learned .which is in accordance with the truths of God as relayed in Scripture, their deeds will be purified from all unrighteousness and be acceptable to God for eternal rewards at judgment . This is true when children of God, born of God endeavor to do the following:
» study / abide in God's Word - guardedly keep His commandments, and thereby abide in God / Jesus Christ - hence walk in the same manner as Jesus Christ by the grace of God, (1 Jn 2:3-14, 24; 3:2-3, 24, 27; Jn 14:23);

» speak to others from Scripture, (1 Jn 2:24);

» care for the unsaved and share their faith with them with an agapE, godly love, (1 Jn 2:24; Mt 28:19-20);

» express agapE love toward the brethren and thereby affirm to themselves that by the grace of God they know God and are born of God and that they know that God's love is perfected, i.e., made complete in them, (1 Jn 2:10; 3:14, 18-19; 4:7-12; 5:9-13);

» confess their sins while walking in the Light of God's Absolute Righteousness, (1 Jn 1:5-10);

» be assured because they are children of God, born of God that their sins are forgiven unto eternal life and unto temporal fellowship with God, (1 Jn 1:9, 2:12; 5:9-13);

» look forward to Christ's appearing and thereby be assured of their eternal destiny, (1 Jn 2:28; 3:2);

» keep God's commandments, (1 Jn 2:3, 2:25; 3:2-3, 24);

» walk in the same manner that Christ walked, (1 Jn 2:6);

» not love the world or the things in it, (1 Jn 2:15);

» know that they are born of God unto eternal life because the world hates them like it hated Christ - implying that they are endeavoring to abide in God's Word, (1 Jn 3:13);

» confess the Father and the Son, and especially the Son having come in the flesh, (1 Jn 2:23);

» know that God is Light - Absolutely Perfect Righteousness; and in Him there is no darkness, no unrighteousness at all, (1 Jn 1:5-7; 2:29; 3:5);

» know that they are children of God, born of God, because they have the sure hope of eternal life fixed upon the Son of God, (1 Jn 2:28; 3:2-3: 5:9-13);

» test the spirits to determine if they are from God, (1 Jn 4:1-6); etc.

Furthermore, in addition to self-examination to determine if they are abiding in God, children of God, born of God while they walk in God's Light can know what is of God and what is not relative to what they observe others say and do. But this is conditioned upon the accuracy of what one thinks another is saying and doing.

Appearances can be deceiving when one lacks the knowledge of details behind what they observe. For children of God, born of God neither have God's Absolute Knowledge of another's eternal and temporal position with Him, nor know what God knows about another's understanding, motivation and faith. And this is further limited to what the child of God, born of God has as an accurate understanding of what Scripture teaches on the matter at hand.

Nevertheless, there are a number of indicators as to whether or not one is a child of God, born of God on the path toward fellowship with God such as:

« persistent, daily study of Scripture in accordance with the order in which each book of God's Word was inspired by the Holy Spirit to be written without skipping any parts - hence no cherry picking of verses from all over the Bible without regard for context instead of thoroughly analyzing each passage to verify the context from the beginning of the Book it is contained in, in the order it was written - all of which must be in accordance with the normative rules of language, context and logic which were evidently used to compose the Bible. - [ref. abiding in God's Word, (1 Jn 2:3-14, 24; Jn 14:23)].

« persistent, daily sharing of what one has learned and confirmed in ones study of Scripture with others via a vigorous contending of each point with accurate citations, and quotes from a reliable version of God's Word; but with a willingness to allow oneself to be proved wrong by carefully listening to what others have to say, verifying / refuting each point made from Scripture - all of which must be in accordance with the normative rules of language, context and logic which were evidently used to compose the Bible .- [ref. abiding in God's Word, (1 Jn 2:3-14, 24; 3:2-3, 24, 27; Jn 14:23].

« persistent, daily review of what one has learned and shared with others, to make sure it accurately follows Scripture - all of which must be in accordance with the normative rules of language, context and logic which were evidently used to compose the Bible .- [ref. abiding in God's Word, (1 Jn 2:3-14, 24; 3:2-3, 24, 27; Jn 14:23].

« persistent, daily concern for the eternal destiny of others characterized by a reluctance to turn away from them even despite rejection - always looking for ways to communicate with them from Scripture in a manner which will get them to seek what it says in the Bible and to seek salvation / fellowship with God - all of which must be in accordance with the normative rules of language, context and logic which were evidently used to compose the Bible - expressing agape, godly love for others, [ref. 1 Jn 2:10; 3:14, 18-19; 4:7-12].

« persistently resolving apparent contradictions within ones own mind about the Bible by rigorously applying the normative rules of language, context and logic. leading to corrections and affirmations of the conclusions one has arrived at. Hence accurate non-contradictory observations of what Scripture is saying are consistently arrived at when the rules are faithfully applied. This testifies to the inerrancy / non-contradictory nature of God's Word when interpreted faithfully via the rules by which it was penned. And thereby it will constantly be affirmed that all conclusions are in perfect harmony with one another and fit one another without contradiction - hence God actually did inspire Scripture, [ref. abiding in God's Word, (1 Jn 2:3-14, 24; 3:2-3, 24, 27; Jn 14:23].

And God has indeed communicated His Word in a perfect manner utilizing normative rules of language. For whenever the normative rules are strictly adhered to, what results is a 'single line' of interpretation with no contradiction, no confusion and perfect consistency throughout every book of the bible, corroborating that it is God's Word!

« persistently not willing to compromise if it means going against what one has learned from God's Word even to the extent of being alone and all by oneself even persecuted - all of which must be in accordance with the no

rmative rules of language, context and logic which were evidently used to compose the Bible

., [ref. 1 Jn 3:13];

« living every day with a view to eternity more than temporal matters as a result of ones assurance of ones eternal destiny - all of which must be in accordance with the normative rules of language, context and logic which were evidently used to compose the Bible

., looking to eternity, [ref. (1 Jn 2:12, 28; 3:2-3, 13)].

You know you are a Christian by who you love. You become a Christian you start to love other Christians

[Wrong. Christians are neither omniscient nor without sin – they cannot know if one is expressing perfect agape godly love toward them or others; nor that they are expressing perfect [without sin] agape love themselves toward others. Note that Ro 7 indicates that even the apostle Paul succumbed to the sin nature all of the time even after he became a Christian]

‘4 The birthmark of conflict
1 Jn 5:4 “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”
You find that you are in conflict. You will become a victor in these conflicts.

[Wrong. Christian’s do not always overcome the world in victorious conflicts. Christians overcome the world through the efforts of Jesus Christ on their behalf. Notice that it is our faith in Christ’s victory for us in battle for us that is the victory.

(1 Jn 5:3b-5, cont) IN 1 JN 5:4 THE WORD RENDERED "WHATEVER" IS NEUTER IN GENDER EMPHASIZING THE EXPERIENCE OF BECOMING A CHILDREN OF GOD, BORN OF GOD, WHICH EXPERIENCE RESULTS IN THEIR HAVING OVERCOME THE WORLD - LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING RECEIVED A COMPLETED - FUTURE VICTORY OVER THE WORLD - NOT IN THEIR MORTAL LIVES BUT IN THE FUTURE STATE OF ETERNAL LIFE IN PERFECT RESURRECTION BODIES JUST LIKE THE LORD'S. THIS IS MORE SPECIFICALLY DEFINED BY THE NEXT PHRASE RENDERED, "AND THIS IS THE VICTORY THE [ONE WHICH] DID OVERCOME THE WORLD - OUR FAITH," IN THE SENSE THAT THE MOMENT OF FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE GAVE THEM THE COMPLETE - FUTURE VICTORY BY GIVING THEM GOD'S FREE, GRACE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE WHICH WOULD ENABLE THEM TO OVERCOME THE WORLD AT THEIR RESURRECTION. THIS IS CONFIRMED IN VERSE 5 WITH, "WHO IS [THE ONE] WHO IS [THE] OVERCOMING [ONE OF] THE WORLD, IF NOT [THE ONE] WHO IS [THE] BELIEVING [ONE] THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD?" NOTE THAT THIS VICTORY DOES NOT GUARANTEE SUBSEQUENT VICTORY IN THE TEMPORAL LIFE OF THE CHILD OF GOD, BORN OF GOD. FOR NO CHILD OF GOD, BORN OF GOD CAN CLAIM TO LIVE PERFECT MOMENTS WITHOUT SIN, (1 JN 1:8, 10)

(1 Jn 4:21 NASB) "And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. (1 Jn 5:1 NASB) Whoever believes [lit., whoever.is the believing one] that Jesus is the Christ [has been born] of God, and whoever loves [lit., whoever is the one who is loving] the Father [lit., the One Who gave birth to him] loves the child [having been born] of Him. (1 Jn 5:2 NASB) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe [lit., do] His commandments. (1 Jn 5:3 NASB) For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. (1 Jn 5:4 YLT) because [whatever, (neuter)] [has been born] of God [overcomes] the world, and this is the victory the [one which] did overcome the world - our faith; (1 Jn 5:5 YLT) who is [the one] who is [the] overcoming [one of] the world, if not [the one] who is [the] believing [one] that Jesus is the Son of God?" =

From writing "and His commandments are not burdensome," in 1 Jn 5:3b author John goes on to write "because whatever, (neuter gender), has been born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory the [one which] did overcome the world - our faith," in 1 Jn 5:4. The word rendered "whatever" in 1 Jn 5:4a is neuter in gender emphasizing the experience of becoming a child of God, born of God, which experience results in having overcome the world - not in their mortal lives but in the future state of eternal life in perfect resurrection bodies just like the LORD's. This is more specifically defined by the next phrase rendered, "and this is the victory the [one which] did overcome the world - our faith," in 1 Jn 5:4b, in the sense that the moment of faith alone in Christ alone that gave them the victory of God's free grace gift of eternal life which provided them with the means to have overcome the world - a resurrection into eternal life. So it is not the children of God but their birth from God which has conquered the world and has brought victory to them. Their having become born of God is God's act on their behalf, the event through which He transforms them into beings that will have overcome the world. The supernatural act by which human beings will have been translated out of the kingdom of death into the kingdom of life through the Son is in view.

The victory, the [one which] did overcome the world is identified in 1 Jn 5:4 with "our faith."
The aorist participle phrase rendered 'the [one which] did overcome') is in the aorist tense. This is a reference to a completed event, emphasizing that the victory author John refers to has already been won by children of God, born of God through a single moment of faith alone in Christ alone unto eternal life as a grace gift from God.

The message of 1 Jn 5:4 is confirmed in verse 5 with, "who is [the one] who is [the] overcoming [one of] the world, if not [the one] who is [the] believing [one] that Jesus is the Son of God?" The victory of overcoming the world is stipulated in 1 Jn 5:4b in the nominative aorist participle - a completed past action. Hence it is already true in the temporal, mortal lives of the children of God, born of God that they immediately have overcome the world when they expressed the moment of faith alone in Jesus as the Son of God alone. The Greek construction in 1 Jn 5:5 rendered "who is [the one] who is [the] overcoming [one of] the world" and "if not [the one] who is [the] believing [one] that Jesus is the Son of God," are present nominative participles with the definite article. This construction is essentially timeless. It characterizes an individual by an initial expression of faith he has expressed, without specifying how often this expression of faith is to be made or even whether it must continue. In essence 1 Jn 5:5 confirms that a moment of faith alone in Jesus being the Son of God alone results in permanently having become the overcoming one of the world . On the other hand this victory does not guarantee subsequent victory in the temporal life of the child of God, born of God. For no child of God, born of God can claim to live perfect moments without sin - which moments would be defined as moments of victory, (ref. 1 Jn 1:8, 10 ).

So author John tells us that the moment of faith which children of God, born of God had expressed that Jesus is the Christ, (1 Jn 5:1) - the Son of God, (1 Jn 5:5), to become children of God, born of God gave them the victory over the world in the sense of overcoming the evil system by which it is ruled in this age by simply receiving eternal life and a future eternal separation from that evil system when they end their mortal lives and receive their perfect, eternal resurrection bodies and the evil world will perish, as taught in chapter two:

‘5 The birthmark of conduct
1 Jn 3:9 whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

Willful sin is in view, you continually sin – then you are not a Christian.

[Wrong. All sin is a matter of willful choice. The present tense “does not sin” means NO SIN, not continual sin. If is not referring to believers who sin all the time and must confess it all the time, (1 Jn 1:8-10). All Christian’s sin all the time. But the Son of God DOES NOT SIN – AT ALL – THAT IS WHO IS IN VIEW IN 1 Jn 3:9. Was He not perfectly born of God in His Perfect Humanity? Read below:

(1 Jn 3:9) THE VERSES LEADING UP TO 1 JN 3:9 HAVE IN VIEW THE STARK CONTRAST BETWEEN THE SON OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THE DEVIL AND SIN - AS EXEMPLIFIED BY POTENTIAL ACTS OF SIN AND RIGHTEOUSNESS BY THE CHILDREN OF GOD, BORN OF GOD

THE BATTLE IS BETWEEN:

THE DEVIL WHO SINNED FROM THE BEGINNNING - HIS WORKS OF ORIGINATING SIN, LAWLESSNESS AND REBELLION IN HIMSELF AND ALL OF HUMANITY AGAINST GOD, CONTAMINATING THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE AND THE WORLD SO THAT ALL OF MANKIND ARE PHYSICALLY BORN WITH A SIN NATURE WHICH CAUSES ACTS OF SIN;
AND THE SON OF GOD, JESUS CHRIST WHO IN HIS HUMANITY WAS WHOLLY AND PERFECTLY BORN OF GOD, AND REMAINS ABSOLUTELY RIGHTEOUS; WHO CAME TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL AND ENABLE MANKIND TO BE SAVED BY TAKING AWAY SIN - TO ENABLE EACH INDIVIDUAL TO TRUST IN HIS WORK TO RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE AND THEREAFTER ABIDE FOREVER IN HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

(1 Jn 2:28 NASB) "Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have [bold assurance] and not shrink away from Him in shame at His [appearing]. (1 Jn 2:29 NASB) If you know that He is Righteous, you know that everyone also who [does acts of] righteousness is born of Him. (1 Jn 3:1 NASB) [Behold!] how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and .such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. (1 Jn 3:2 NASB) Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. (1 Jn 3:3 NASB) And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 Jn 3:4 NASB) Everyone who [does] sin also [does] lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. (1 Jn 3:5 NASB) You know that He appeared [ephanerOthE = manifested, in the sense of God incarnate] in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. (1 Jn 3:6 YLT) [Everyone] who [abides] in Him [does] not sin; every one who [sins] [has] not seen Him, nor known Him [the Son of God]. (1 Jn 3:7 NASB) Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who [does acts of] righteousness is righteous, just as He [Jesus Christ] is righteous; (1 Jn 3:8 NKJV) He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned [lit., sins] from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1 Jn 3:9 NKJV) [Each One Who] has been born of God does not sin, for His [God's] Seed remains in Him; and He cannot sin, because He has been born of God." =

1) In View In The Verses Leading Up To 1 Jn 3:9: Children of God, Born of God Are To Abide In Him So That When He Appears They May Have Bold Assurance At His Appearing. If They Know That He is Righteous, They Know That Everyone Who Does Acts Of Righteousness Are Born Of Him. Children Of God Will Be Like Christ When He Appears Again. Those Who Have This Sure Hope Of Being Purified From Sin As Christ Is Pure Are Themselves Purified. But Those Who Do Sin, Do Lawlessness. He Appeared To Take Away Sins, And In Him Is No Sin. Everyone Who Abides In Him Is Purified Of His Sins, Everyone Who Sins Is Characterized As Not Having Seen Or Known Him. The One Who Does Righteousness Is Characterized As Righteous Just As He Is Righteous. The One Who Does Sin Is Characterized As Of The Devil Who Has Sinned From The Beginning. The Son Of God Appeared To Destroy The Works Of The Devil And Enable Mankind To Be Saved By Taking Away Sin - To Enable Each Individual To Trust In His Work To Receive Eternal Life And Thereafter To Choose To Abide In His Righteousness.

(1 Jn 2:28 NASB) "Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have [bold assurance] and not shrink away from Him in shame at His [appearing].
(1 Jn 2:29 NASB) If you know that He is Righteous, you know that everyone also who [does acts of] righteousness is born of Him.

[Children of God, born of God are to abide in Him so that when He appears they may have bold assurance at His appearing. If they know that He is Righteous, they know that everyone who does acts of Righteousness are born of Him]

(1 Jn 3:2 NASB) Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

[When Jesus Christ appears [1 Thes 4:13-18 ] children of God, born of God will be transformed into being like Him - Absolutely Righteous making complete their spiritual birth - no longer able to sin]

(1 Jn 3:3 NASB) And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

[Every child of God, born of God who has the sure hope of His appearing as a result of God's purifying grace purifies himself, just as Jesus Christ is pure]

(1 Jn 3:4 NASB) Everyone who [does] sin also [does] lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.

[But every child of God, born of God while he does sin, he does lawlessness]

(1 Jn 3:5 NASB) You know that He appeared [ephanerOthE = manifested, in the sense of God incarnate] in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.

[Jesus Christ appeared in His Perfect Humanity in order to take away sins. In Him there is no sin.]

(1 Jn 3:6 YLT) [Everyone] who [abides] in Him [does] not sin; every one who [sins] [has] not seen Him, nor known Him [the Son of God].

[Every child of God, born of God while he abides in the Son of God - in His Word, i.e., obeys His commandments - albeit imperfectly - without perfect moments without sin while confessing his sins and walking in God's Light, albeit imperfectly - without perfect moments without sin, (1 Jn 1:8, 10), is characterized as not having sinned as a result of God's purifying grace through confession, (1 Jn 1:9). On the other hand, while a child of God, born of God sins without confessing them, he is characterized in his behavior / experience, (as opposed to his eternal state), as having not seen Him, or known Him in the sense of denying God's Absolute Righteousness, distancing himself in his mind from the truth about the Absolute Righteousness of God that he believed in to become a born of God, child of God]

(1 Jn 3:7 NASB) Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who [does acts of] righteousness is righteous, just as He [Jesus Christ] is righteous;

[Children of God, born of God should take heed to not be deceived by others and consider the truth of the matter that one who does acts of righteousness in the sense of abiding in His Word, obeying His commands, confessing sins, walking in His Light, albeit imperfectly - without perfect moments without sin, is righteous - as righteous as Jesus Christ is righteous - as a result of God's purifying grace]

(1 Jn 3:8 NKJV) He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned [lit., sins] from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

[Children of God, born of God while they commit sin - and they have the capacity to sin, (unlike the Son of God Who was wholly born of God without the capacity to sin) - are characterized as "of the devil" in their behavior / experience, not their eternal state. For the devil has sinned from the beginning. And for this purpose the Son of God, Jesus Christ was manifested in wholly Perfect Humanity that He might destroy the works of the devil - works which originated sin, lawlessness and rebellion against God, contaminating humanity and the whole world]

2) The Following Words From 1 Jn 3:9 Rendered, "Each One Who Has Been Born Of God Does Not Sin [At All] For His [God's] Seed Remains In Him; And He Cannot Sin, Because He Has Been Born Of God," Can Only Refer To The Son Of God, Jesus Christ.

(1 Jn 3:9 NKJV) "[Each One Who] has been born of God does not sin, for His [God's] Seed remains in Him; and He cannot sin, because He has been born of God." =

¤ Since 1 Jn 2:28-3:8 has in view the stark contrast between the Son of God and His Righteousness and sin and the devil; and the battle between them - as exemplified by potential acts of sin and righteousness by the children of God, born of God wherein the nature from which comes sinful actions and the new born of God nature from which comes godly righteousness have both been in view in the children of God, born of God in First John up to this point.

¤ and since the battle is between God and the devil:
the devil who sinned from the beginning - his works of originating sin, lawlessness and rebellion in himself and all of humanity against God, contaminating the whole human race and the world so that all of mankind are physically born with a sin nature which causes acts of sin;

and the Son of God, Jesus Christ Who in His Humanity was Wholly and Perfectly born of God, and remains Absolutely Righteous; Who came to destroy the works of the devil and to take away sin - to enable each individual to trust in His work to receive eternal life and thereafter to choose to abide in His Righteousness;

¤ and since 1 Jn 3:9a and b stipulate, "Each One Who has been born of God does not sin, for His [God's] Seed remains in Him, indicating Absolute Sinless Perfection which is unlike the whole person of the children of God, born of God who can choose to sin or do righteousness - both sin and born of God natures in view in John's first epistle up to this point;

¤ and since 1 Jn 3:9b goes on to say that God's Seed Who birthed His [Christ's] Humanity remains in Him Who insures and preserves the One born of God's Absolute Righteousness so that He does not sin - unlike the children of God, born of God who can choose to sin or do righteousness - both sin and born of God natures in view in John's first epistle up to this point;

¤ and since 1 Jn 3:9c further stipulates that the One in view Who has been born of God does not sin, "cannot sin," which is unlike humanity after the Fall, and which is likewise unlike the child of God, born of God who is in a state of dichotomy - one part which cannot sin and the other part which sins all the time - both parts of which are in view in the whole person of the child of God, born of God in the context leading up to 1 Jn 3:9, (refs, 1 Jn 3:2-8; cf Ro 7:20-24; Gal 2:20);

¤ and since 1 Jn 3:9 does not have in view the rest of mankind who will remain unsaved and cannot do any acts of godly righteousness and sins all the time;
then it is the One wholly born of God Who, in His Entirety, Who does not and cannot sin: Jesus Christ, Who is in view in 1 Jn 3:9. All who trust in Him for salvation unto eternal life will be justified unto His Righteousness unto eternal life; and through Him the works of the devil have been destroyed, enabling the child of God, born of God to choose to abide in God's Absolute Righteousness.

3) The Greek Words "Hamartian Ou Poiei" Rendered "Does Not Sin" In 1 Jn 3:9a Is A Present Tense, Third Person, Singular Verb Signifying The One Who Has Been Born Of God Does Not Sin With Neither The Appropriate Progressive Present Context Nor The Required Qualifying Words To Indicate "Does Not Practice" Or "Does Not Continue In Sin," Or 'Does Not Habitually Sin,' Etc., As Some Contend. For An Occasional Or Even A Single Additional Sin Would Still Qualify As "Continuing To Sin" or "Habitually Sinning" or "Practicing Sinning." Furthermore, These Insertions Into The Text Still Do Not Then Permit The Whole Person Of The Child Of God, Born Of God With Both Sin And Born Of God Natures To Be In View In 1 Jn 3:9, Because He Can And Still Does Choose To Do / Practice / Continue To / Habitually Sin According To 1 Jn 1:8, 10 Until Christ Appears When The Child Of God, Born Of God Will Be Like Him - Without Sin, (1 Jn 3:2)

(1 Jn 3:9 NKJV) "[Each One Who] has been born of God does not sin, for His [God's] Seed remains in Him; and He cannot sin, because He has been born of God." =

The Greek words "hamartian ou poiei" rendered "does not sin" in 1 Jn 3:9a rendered "Each One Who has been born of God does not sin" is a present tense third person singular verb signifying the one who has been born of God does not sin with neither the appropriate progressive present context nor the required qualifying words to indicate "does not practice" or "does not continue in sin," or 'does not habitually sin,' etc., as some contend, . Furthermore, to insist on renderings of 1 Jn 3:9a such as 'does not continue to sin, or 'does not habitually sin,' or 'does not practice sin' is to insist on that which does not permit an occasional sin or even a single additional sin. For an occasional or a single additional sin would still qualify as "continue to sin" or "habitual sin" or "practicing sin." Thus the attempt to change the original Greek text to allow for an occasional sin or a single additional sin by the born of God, child of God does not succeed. In the final analysis the text does not permit any sin at all, excluding the child of God, born of God who still does choose to do / practice / continue to / habitually sin according to 1 Jn 1:8, 10 - leaving only the Son of God Who qualifies. Hence 1 Jn 3:9a is best rendered what it says: "does not sin," correctly indicating no commission of sins at all! Notice that a brother, a child of God, born of God is viewed in 1 Jn 5:16 as sinning a sin not unto death and also may be sinning a sin that may lead to premature physical death, evidently an ongoing activity. But nevertheless he is a brother - a child of God, born of God, secure in his possession of eternal life, (1 Jn 5:9-13).

Furthermore, the phrase in 1 Jn 3:9c rendered "and He cannot sin," confirms the absolutely sinless perfection of the One born of God in view in 1 Jn 3:8-9. He does not sin because He cannot sin! Note that according to the context in First John relative to the subject of children of God, born of God: they cannot claim at any time in their mortal lives that they cannot sin, nor to have no sin, nor to have not sinned, (1 Jn 1:8, 10); but instead they must use God's remedies for when they inevitably do sin which include walking in the Light of God's Absolute Righteousness, confession, etc., (1 Jn 1:7-2:2 ). Although individuals of flawed humanity can and have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation unto eternal life and have become children of God, born of God, they nevertheless have retained their flawed human conditions until the time when Christ appears, (1 Jn 3:2), for their resurrection unto Perfect Humanity as Christ was born into.

Again, notice that a brother, a child of God, born of God is viewed in 1 Jn 5:16 as sinning a sin not unto early physical death and also may be sinning a sin that may lead to premature physical death; evidently it is an ongoing activity. But nevertheless he is a brother - a child of God, born of God, secure in his possession of eternal life, (1 Jn 5:9-13). Thus the interpretation that 1 Jn 3:9 and 5:18 have in view that a child of God, born of God does not sin, or does not practice / continue / habitually sin as some contend cannot be true otherwise there are innumerable contradictions throughout Scripture.

4) If Sinless Perfection On The Part Of The Child Of God, Born Of God - His Entirety / Both Sin And Born Of God Natures - Is In View In 1 Jn 3:9, Then There Would Not Be A Need For Much Of God's Word - Only Passages Which Lead Up To And Include Salvation. Thereafter Ones Becoming A Child Of God, Born Of God Would Be Perfect Without A Need To Exhort To Abide In Christ. But Such Cannot Be The Case, Unless Major Portions Of God's Word Are Misleading And Contradictory

(1 Jn 3:9 NKJV) "[Each One Who] has been born of God does not sin, for His [God's] Seed remains in Him; and He cannot sin, because He has been born of God." =

If sinless perfection on the part of the child of God, born of God is in view in 1 Jn 3:9, then there would not be a need for much of God's Word - only passages which lead up to and include salvation. Thereafter the born of God experience, the child of God, born of God, would be perfect with no need for instruction / correction / forgiveness of temporal sins, etc. So all of the passages exhorting believers to grow in the Word and abide in the Righteousness of the Lord would be of no value - even in error. Although sinless perfection of the entire child of God is claimed by some to happen automatically at the spiritual birthing experience; all of the passages which admonish a child of God not to behave like the world, such as 1 Jn chapter 2 and Romans chapter 6, would then be misleading one to think that a true believer could practice sin. So if children of God, born of God do not and cannot sin, then all of these oft ignored passages must be expunged from God's Word - including most of the New Testament epistles.

But such is not the case, children of God, born of God do sin and must remedy that situation by what God has provided for when they do sin:

a) [Compare 1 Jn 1:7-2:2]:

(1 Jn 1:7 NASB) "But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, [One = God, with another = with each of we believers walking in the light], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

(1 Jn 1:8 NASB) If we [should] say that we have no sin, we [deceive] ourselves and the truth is not in us.

(1 Jn 1:9 NASB) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(1 Jn 1:10 NASB) If we [should] say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

(1 Jn 2:1 NASB) My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous;

(1 Jn 2:2 NASB) and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world."

5) The "Inner Man" - The "New Nature" Of The Child Of God, Born Of God, Albeit Without Sin, Is Not Singularly In View In 1 Jn 3:9. There Is No Change In Context To This Effect In Either Of These Verses Or Anywhere In First John. Hence The Only Interpretation Left Is That 1 Jn 3:9 Refers To Only to The Son Of God In His Perfect Sinless Humanity, Who Does Not And Cannot Sin. The Message Of This Verse Is For The Child Of God, Born Of God To Emulate The Son Of God, Who Is Wholly Born Of God Without Sin
(1 Jn 3:9 NKJV) "[Each One Who] has been born of God does not sin, for His [God's] Seed remains in Him; and He cannot sin, because He has been born of God." =
The "inner man," of those who have died to Christ, (Ro 6:8; 7:14-25); i.e., believers in Jesus Christ, (Ro 1:ff), is only a part of the child of God, born of God; that part which has been born of God - that part that singlarly wants to do good - never evil, that cannot sin, who keeps himself and the evil one cannot touch him. The inner man is also described by the apostle Paul as "the law of my mind." Yet the inner man is nevertheless only part of the child of God, born of God - the believer, who still has the flesh: sin / evil dwelling / ever present in the members of his body, as the apostle Paul wrote about in Romans chapter 7.

Hence the born of God inner man cannot be singularly in view in 1 Jn 3:9 or 1 Jn 5:18 separated from the sin nature, the flesh of the child of God, born of God, because the verse begins with "Each One Who has been born of God," not 'the inner man who has been born of God.' Note that the subject "Each One Who has been born of God," of 1 Jn 3:9 and 5:18 is always referred to by pronouns rendered "Him, He, His, Who, etc. - the whole person and not "it" signifying a part of that person, such as that person's "inner man," or "sin nature."

Author John in his epistle has consistently referred to the whole child of God, born of God who has God's promise of eternal life, (1 Jn 2:25), as having the capacity to choose to sin or to choose to abide in Christ; and not just his new nature which cannot sin, as evidenced by 1 Jn 3:2:

a) [1 Jn 3:2]:

(1 Jn 3:2 NASB) "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is."
Notice that children of God, born of God in this age have been the subject so far. And they are described as not yet like Him, with a Perfect Righteous Nature and without a sin nature: and "in Him [the Son of God] is no sin," (1 Jn 3:5b).

Since the context leading up to and including 1 Jn 3:9 never has in view only the "inner man" of the child of God, born of God; nor does it ever ignore the fleshly man of the child of God, born of God that still can and still does sin as indicated from the beginning of this epistle and throughout - hence the statement that the born of God, child of God cannot claim to be without sin, (1 Jn 1:8, 10); and the frequent warnings to him to not fall into sin, (cf. 1 Jn 2:1, 4, 11, 15-17, 23-24, 26-28; 3:4, 8);

then 1 Jn 3:9, which begins with "[Each One Who] has been born of God does not sin" not 'The inner man which has been born of God," therefore cannot refer to children of God, born of God because it stipulates that the One born of God in the sense of the whole person - inner and carnal - does not and cannot sin. Hence the only interpretation left is that 1 Jn 3:9 refers to the Son of God in His Perfect sinless Humanity, Who does not and cannot sin.

6) 1 Jn 3:10a Does Not Refer Back To 1 Jn 3:9 To Conclude That Those Who Do Not Sin Are Children Of God, Born Of God. Otherwise With A Single Sin - A Continuance / A Practice Of Sin / An Habitual Sin Then An Individual Has Not Been Born Of God

(1 Jn 3:9 NKJV) [Each One Who] has been born of God does not sin, for His [God's] Seed remains in Him; and He cannot sin, because He has been born of God. (1 Jn 3:10a YLT) In this [is made manifest] the children of God and the children of the devil." =

Note that 1 Jn 3:10a, "In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest," is contended by some to refer back to the context of 1 Jn 3:9 in order to conclude the section with a statement that those who do not sin are children of God, born of God; otherwise with a single sin - a continuance / a practice of sin / an habitual sin then an individual has not been born of God, but is a child of the devil destined for the Lake of Fire. If this is correct, (and it is not), then 1 Jn 3:10a stipulates whoever is born of God and whoever is not, is determined by observation of one's own or someone else's behavior:

¤ that which is absolutely sinless behavior proves out one who is born of God. (Some contend a continuation of sin, or a practice of sin, or habitual sin is in view. But all it takes is an occasional, even a single sin to become a continuation, a practice or an habitual sin).

¤ otherwise with a single sin an individual is not born of God, but a child of the devil destined for the Lake of Fire.

Since all mankind aside from Jesus Christ in His Humanity remains capable of sin, with finite, flawed natures and mentalities, then no one is able to accurately discern who is sinless and who is not. Hence 1 Jn 3:9-10a cannot be a test to see if someone is saved, as there is nobody qualified in the human race to accurately perform or pass that test except Jesus Christ Himself Who is Wholly born of God. Furthermore if it is true that one becomes absolutely sinless as a result of becoming born of God, (and it is not), then no one as yet has become born of God except Jesus Christ Himself. So 1 Jn 3:10a is best understood as looking forward to a new section with 10b finishing the thought begun in 10a: "In this [is made manifest] the children of God and the children of the devil: [the one] who is not doing righteousness, is not of God, and he who is not loving his brother."

Therefore, 1 Jn 3:10a begins another section in First John. Note that the implication of 1 Jn 3:10 is therefore that a child of God, born of God is to abide in the Righteousness of the Son of God - in God's Word - a key message of 1 John.