This is a repost from last year. As I am reading 1 John for “Eat This Book” at our church, I was reminded of the Common English Bible’s rendering of this passage.
9 Those born from God don’t practice sin because God’s DNA remains in them. They can’t sin because they are born from God. 10 This is how God’s children and the devil’s children are apparent: everyone who doesn’t practice righteousness is not from God, including the person who doesn’t love a brother or sister. 11 This is the message that you heard from the beginning: love each other. (I Jn. 3:9-11, CEB)
The life of God is found in abiding in him. Our abiding in him bears fruit. Our NOT abiding in him bears fruit. You can compare the fruit.
Are we living in righteousness? Are we living to please him?
1 John 3:22 is such a great verse… if we ignore v. 23 and 24!
We receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. (I Jn. 3:22, CEB) What a powerful verse. Take it and run with it!
But don’t forget the verses following…
23 This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love each other as he commanded us. 24 The person who keeps his commandments remains in God and God remains in him; and this is how we know that he remains in us, because of the Spirit that he has given to us.
Too often we want the rewards of God without the requirements of God.
His commands are simple: Love Jesus. Love your neighbor. When those things are coming out in action then you know you are abiding. Then you can go ahead and ASK.
Am I abiding in my Savior? Am I loving my neighbor? Are my actions portraying the DNA of God… or the DNA of mere humanity?
Apprentice 2 Jesus 