The Upward Look
© Copyright 2006, Max D. Hutto,

“No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”
1 John 3:9 NASB ©

A startling and powerful statement penned by John declares that the child of God will not sin. This word “sin” does not mean the occasional single act of sin, but the continual, habitual, persistent practice of a lifestyle of sin. First, the believer cannot live in a lifestyle of sin because God’s seed is in him. “Seed” could refer to his being the offspring of God, or to the Holy Spirit abiding in him, or to the new spiritual nature in him, or to the Word of God in him. Second, the believer cannot live in a lifestyle of sin because he is born of God. He has God’s nature, character, and power in him, and thus he cannot sin.

Lord Jesus, I am thankful for the new nature You give me that keeps me from living in sin. Help me as a child of God to always live in a way that would be pleasing to God the Father.

* (footnotes & credits)

NASB ©
The Bible quotes marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA. (used with permission)

HCSB ©
The Bible quotes marked HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible,
© Copyright 2000 by Holman Bible Publishers (used with permission).

NIV ©
The Bible quotes marked NIV are from the New International Version,
© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, by The International Bible Society. (used with permission)