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NASB | 1 John 3:9 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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, because God's seed [His principle of life, the essence of His righteous character] remains [permanently] in him [who is born again--who is reborn from above--spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose]; and he [who is born again] cannot habitually [live a life characterized by] sin, because he is born of God and longs to please Him. |
Subject: Who makes the rules? |
Bible Note: Dear Baptistbred, Anytime I find within myself the ability to do good or to shun evil, I always try to remember to give God the praise for giving me the grace to do so. I am His workmanship. I am not my own but have been purchased at a great cost. If it were possible for me to be righteous by my own act of will-power, then I would have somewhat of which to boast! But no...I am weak and helpless apart from Christ. When I am weak, He remains strong. The sect of the pharisees is not for me; They would drum me out in short order. I am but a feeble saint whose only hope for righteousness lies in my dependance on the cross. My assurance that I am His comes from His grace working in me, molding and shaping me day by day. Even my sins (which bring me terrible anguish) serve to teach me humility and thanksgiving. I am astounded that the Holy One of Israel would have called such a one as myself. Faith without works is dead. This is true. If I were to have no works at all, I would doubt my salvation! I would fall on my knees and beg Christ to save me and to change me so that I might serve Him. But even repentance must be granted by God. If only, when we searched our hearts, we could cease from looking at what WE have done, but rather, look at what HE has done in us, our confidence would be boundless because it would be placed in Christ and not in ourselves. Grace and Peace, John Reformed |