Test #9 Continuation of Sinning

1 John 3:4 – 7
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.

No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

Why did Jesus come to earth?

To save us from hell?

Umm – not to sure John is discussing that here.  Don’t get me wrong – that is definitely a huge benefit for us, but this passage doesn’t seem to teach us that

Why did He come to earth?  John tells us that He appeared in order to “take away sins”.

Now did John mean the guilt of sin?  Or maybe the penalty of a sinful life.  Both of those teachings are available in the Word, but  I am not understanding this particular passage that way.

He came to take away sin, and if we abide in Him, we will not continue in sin.

Will we find sinless perfection in this life?

Dare I say that there may be fleeting moments in this life where the only thing I think of is how to please the Father.  In those rare moments, I am free of sin.

Oh, but the weakness of my flesh, where distractions, desires and deceptions are the hook I choose to bite, taking me away from this peace.

But enough of my failings.  His purpose is to take away sin from our lives, and that we are to live (practice) righteousness in our lives.

May I be so bold as to say that if you do not struggle to practice righteousness, fight to gain the wisdom of God, seek the strength only He can provide, you may not be experiencing the reason He came.

Only when I resist the sin in me, do I realize the enormity of the foe.  I need Him to save me from this body of death, and He can supply peace and joy in the midst of the battle.

But the battle is real – Practice righteousness consistently, and seek His strength.

I hope you found a truth that was helpful in your life within this post.  Drop me a line, or send this post to a friend that you thought of recently.

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