diff --git a/content/bible_journal/1john/3:1-10.md b/content/bible_journal/1john/3:1-10.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9a19059 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/1john/3:1-10.md @@ -0,0 +1,29 @@ ++++ +title = "1 John 3:1–10" +date = "2024-08-07" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1John3.1-10) + +The effect of our abiding in the Lord, and His abiding in us is a radical transformation, affecting the deepest parts of our being. +God adopts us as His children, and we become as His begotten Son: holy, righteous, and glorified&emdash;eventually, when He returns. +The end result has been fixed, and we are on the proper trajectory to reach it. +This trajectory includes the practicing of righteousness and the avoidance of lawlessness. +Those who do the opposite are going in the opposite direction. +There is no in-between. +There is no stasis. +You are going to head in one direction or the other, and you will eventually reach eternal life or eternal death. + +Verse 6 has caused a lot of fear and doubt in many believers, because of course they still sin. +While it is good to "examine yourself" ([_2 Corinthians 13:5_](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2Cor13.5) to make certain your life reflects the reality of God's salvation for you, they miss the context which describes the progressive nature of sanctification. +"Practice of sin", "practices lawlessness" (_v. 4_), "practices righteousness" (_v. 7_), "practice of sinning" (_vv. 8&endash;9_), "keep on sinning" (_vv. 6,9_). +To practice something is to do intentionally do it as often as you can so you can get better at it. +"Keep on" is used as a synonym for "practice" here. +As [1 John 1:8](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1John1.8) said, we all have sin in ourselves and must confess it. +But as believers who abide in the Lord, we do not practice the things He hates so as to become better at them. +We hate what we do in our flesh and seek to do it less and less, by His grace. +And we love our Father and seek to do His will more and more, better and better. + +* * * + +Make us holy as You are holy.