I. WHOEVER COMMITS SIN, TRANSGRESSES THE LAW.
A. The Greek word translated commits, is more accurately translated, "doeth." That is, is living in the continual practice of sin.
1. In chapter 1, John declared that if we say that we have not sinned we make God a liar, and the truth is not in us.
2. But as a child of God, though I may sin, sin is no longer the general practice of my life.
3. That is, I do not live in sin.
B. Sin is a transgression of the law.
1. It is not doing what the law tells me I should do.
a. The law declares that God should be first in my life.
b. I should love Him more than anyone or anything else.
2. Or it is doing what the law tells me I should not do.
a. I am not to lie, steal, cheat, or be given over to sexual immorality.
b. I am not to desire that which belongs to someone else.
C. We need to realize that we have a sinful nature.
1. Speaking of our past life before being born again, Paul said, that we were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
a. There used to be a popular song, "Doin What Comes Naturally."
b. That pretty well describes what sin is.
c. As one little boy in Sunday school declared, "Sin is doing what you like to do."
2. We who have been born again have now a new nature, and the old things have passed away, and behold all things become new.
II. AND YOU KNOW TWO THINGS.
A. He was manifested to take away our sins.
1. This is the gospel message that we have to share with the world that is guilt-ridden because of sin.
2. Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures.
3. John the Baptist in announcing Him said, "Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away our sins."
4. Jesus said that He had come to seek and to save those who were lost.
1Ti 1:15 This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Tts 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
B. We know that in Him is no sin.
1. The thief on the cross said, "This man has done nothing amiss."
2. Pilate said, "I find no fault in Him."
3. Judas said, "I have betrayed innocent blood."
4. Jesus said to the Pharisees, "Which of you convinceth Me of sin?" or which of you can point out a sin in Me?
5. Jesus said, "The prince of this world cometh and has nothing in Me."
2Cr 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Hbr 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1PE 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
III. WHOSOEVER ABIDETH IN HIM SINNETH NOT.
A. Again the idea is that we do not live in sin.
1. You cannot be living in sin and at the same time rightly claim to be a child of God.
2. For instance the law tells us that we should not commit adultery, so if I am living in adultery it is proof that I am not abiding in Him.
3. I cannot be a practicing homosexual and be abiding in Him.
a. Jesus warned that if we did not abide in Him, we would be as a withered branch that is cut off and burned.
b. You have no salvation or hope of eternal life apart from Jesus.
B. If you are living in sin, you have not seen Him nor known Him.
1. That is known Him as your Savior.
2. It makes no difference what you may say or profess.
3. Salvation is certainly much more than just saying the right things, it is doing the right things.
a. In chapter 2:4 John said,
1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
b. John declared,
1Jo 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth him, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
c. Again John said,
3Jo 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
d. Many people today are resting in false hopes.
e. There are many who are deceived by the false professions that they make. "Not all who say Lord, Lord are going to enter the kingdom of heaven."
C. John goes on to say, "Let no man deceive you."
1. There are so many who are deceived on this very issue.
2. There are so many who are trusting in a false hope.
a. Those who are trusting in their own works rather than the finished work of Jesus Christ.
b. Those who are trusting in the church to save them
c. Those who are trusting in their infant baptism.
3. Right after Jesus said, "Not all who say Lord, Lord, are going to enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of the Father." He then spoke of those who will come in that day seeking entry into the kingdom of heaven and they declare all of the things that they were doing. Yet He will declare to them "Depart from Me you workers of iniquity, I never knew you."
4. On what have you put your hope for entry into the kingdom of heaven?
a. Your righteousness, your good works?
b. I am trusting in His righteousness which has been imputed to me as the result of my faith in Jesus Christ, which faith is manifested in the works that I do in obedience to His being the Lord of my life.
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the
Jam 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
c. Notice all of the warnings against deception.
Verse-Reference
Square — [Jhn 1:1 KJV]
Abbreviate Books
Use SBL Abbrev.
