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        1John 5:18
 
This idea of one who is born of God not being able to sin is repeated elsewhere in this epistle such as in 3:9. And yet we are told t in 1:8-10 that we do commit sin and need to confess it. I had thought that this seemed to be a contradiction. What is there to confess if we cannot sin?
Then I read Paul's description of this problem in [Romans 7:14-25]. He says in verse 17 that it is no longer he himself who does it but the sin that dwells in him. He then repeats this idea in verse 20.
Is THIS why one who is born of God CANNOT sin? It is not he who does it but somehow it is the sin that dwells in him? I don't understand this at all but since God's ways and thoughts are not my own, maybe I shouldn't worry about understanding it, but just thank God for his grace.
It is important to me because I look at the verses in 1John that say that one who is born of God cannot sin. Then I look at my own sins and wonder if I am really saved. Any insights on this question would be appreciated. 
Wednesday, November 22, 2000 11:02:47 PM   peahenfan

changed on Wednesday, December 13, 2000 11:12:17 AM

 
      re:1John 5:18   
Hello peahenfan,

This is my perspective on this issue. When we are born of God, we do not commit sin for His seed remains in us, and we cannot sin, because we are born of God.

There are two issues here. First, when we are born of God, we do not sin because God deposits His seed in us, which I believe is the Holy Spirit. When God is in our hearts, we do not want to sin.

Secondly, we cannot sin because we are born of God.

[Romans 8:15]
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

[Romans 8:9-10]
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

We have Christ in us, which is the seed that remains in us through the Holy Spirit. We have now received a new spirit and we can call Him "Abba Father". We are born again righteous in the spirit. And in the spirit, we cannot sin when we are born again.

But however, there are two elements here that we see in the scripture. Even in the scripture that you have quoted in [Romans 7:14-25]. In [Romans 8:9] we see that there is our flesh and there is our spirit.

[Romans 7:17-18]
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

When Paul was talking in verse 17 about sin dwelling in him, this was clarified in verse 18 when he talked about his flesh. Then in verse 20 he contrasts this with his inner man which is the spirit man which follows the law of God and not the law of sin.

So, I believe that Paul was talking about the inner man and our spirit man which cannot sin. In [1 John 1:9] we are looking at the flesh which does sin. As you know, both flesh and spirit belongs to us.

[Romans 8:11-14]
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Everything in our lives is subject to our free will. If we live after the flesh, we will reap after the flesh. If we let our spirit, where the seed of God is, lead us then we will truly be led by the Spirit of God and be called the sons of God. 
Wednesday, January 31, 2001 8:35:33 AM waihun
 
      re:1John 5:18   
I think you are confused about what is in Romans 7:17 and 20. Paul isn't speaking of himself. He is talking about the people who do good works but are not saved. He who does good works even tho not a child of God is doing them for his glory not for God's glory.-----1 John 3:9- This means that no one who is born of God "continues to sin," "practices sin," or "keeps on sinning".--meaning that of course, no one is perfect...but you must strive towards living every day according to God's word and to try to be as holy as humanly possible, you will sin (only one man was perfect)...but you have to ask forgiveness daily, even more often than that if you can...because there may be sins you are committing that you are unaware of...(ask forgiveness for those sins too)...
read...Romans 3:23 and read...1 John 1:5,6,7; 2:3-11,15,16,17,24-29; 3:6-24; 4:7,8,20 
Saturday, December 30, 2000 6:39:55 PM amberrose99
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