Born of God: Why True Believers Do Not Keep on Sinning
One of the most common and yet misunderstood themes in Scripture concerns the believer's relationship to sin. Many Christians find themselves confused by what appear to be contradictory verses in the same book:
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves" (1 John 1:8), and
"Whoever is born of God does not sin" (1 John 3:9).
At first glance, this seems impossible to reconcile. But the contradiction is only apparent, not actual. When rightly divided, these verses tell the story of a believer's transformation from a sinful nature to a life increasingly conformed to the righteousness of Christ.
1. Cleansing as We Walk in the Light (1 John 1:7–10)
The first chapter of 1 John speaks to believers who are walking in the light—that is, walking in honesty, repentance, and fellowship with God. Here, John explains that if we claim we have never sinned, or that sin is no longer an issue for us, we are deceiving ourselves. Instead, he exhorts:
"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
This ongoing cleansing is not for the habitual sinner, but for the child of God who seeks to grow in holiness, confessing sins and receiving fresh grace.
2. The Nature of the New Birth (1 John 3:6–9)
Later in the same letter, John declares:
"Whoever abides in Him does not sin... Whoever is born of God does not commit sin; for His seed remains in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." (1 John 3:6, 9)
These verses speak to the radical change that happens at regeneration. The Greek grammar uses present tense verbs indicating continuous action. John is not saying a believer never commits an isolated act of sin; rather, a true believer does not go on practicing sin as a way of life.
The believer has received a new nature—one that hates sin, loves righteousness, and increasingly reflects Christ. This nature cannot be at home with sin, nor does it make peace with disobedience.
3. Resolving the Puzzle
How can these two realities coexist? Here's the key:
| 1 John 1 | 1 John 3 |
|---|---|
| Speaks to the need for cleansing from past sin. | Speaks to the power of new life to resist sin. |
| Warns against denying sin. | Warns against continuing in sin. |
| Emphasizes confession and grace. | Emphasizes transformation and victory. |
A genuine Christian life includes both humility (acknowledging sin) and holiness (turning from sin).
4. Most Believers Stop at Chapter 1
Tragically, many believers cling to 1 John 1:8 as an excuse to remain defeated:
"We all sin, nobody's perfect."
But John goes on to say:
"Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous." (1 John 3:7)
The gospel doesn't merely forgive us; it frees us. Jesus came not only to cover sin, but to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
5. Born of God: The New Identity
Those truly born of God:
Hate sin.
Do not walk in darkness.
Confess faults when convicted.
Are being transformed into the image of Christ.
Bear fruit of righteousness.
Yes, we stumble. But we do not live in sin. We do not excuse it. We fight it, resist it, and overcome it.
Conclusion: Walk as a Child of Light
To walk in the light is not to deny the past but to live in the present power of Christ's life within. The born-again believer has a new seed. That seed cannot produce habitual sin.
We no longer say, "I will always sin." Instead, we say:
"Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 15:57)
Let no one deceive you. If you are born of God, you will not keep on sinning. You will walk in the light, as He is in the light.
And His blood will keep you clean all the way home.
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