1 John 3:4-10 What is your view of Sin & Jesus Christ? (Sermon 15)
In this New Section, from 2:8 to 3:24, John explains What it means to be Children of God.
He does this in the Context of his Exhortation for All Believers to Continue in Christ (2:28).
John explains What it means to be Children of God in Four Ways:
Firstly, he gives Two Foundational Truths, which Demand a Response (in 2:28 to 3:3).
· True Children of God will Believe that God is Righteous (2:29).
· & True Children of God will Believe that Christ is Coming Again (2:28 & 3:2).

We move on now to the Second Part of this Section.
In 3:4-10, it is clear that John has some very Basic Christian Doctrine in Mind.
· John is saying: If you want to find out whether or not Someone is a Genuine Christian,
ask them Two Simple & Straightforward Questions, namely:
What is your View of Sin? - & What is your View of Jesus Christ?
· The Message for Today can be Summed Up in the following Statement:
True Children of God have the Right View of Sin & the Right View of Christ.

Firstly: What is your View of Sin?
· John Answers this Question in verses 4 & 8 by postulating Two Further Questions.
What is your Definition of Sin? & What is your view about the Origin of Sin?
1) What is your Definition of Sin?
· In Chapter One, the Apostle John looked at the Definition of Sin
which was given by the Group of Heretics, called Docetists.
· The Docetists said that Sin Does not Matter (1:6)
They also said that Sin is Not a Part of our Nature (1:8)
Furthermore, they argued that Sin is Not a Part of our Conduct (1:10)
John's message to the Docetists is still the Message to Children of God Today:
· Your Definition of Sin must take into account these Three False Attitudes to Sin:
· Your Definition of Sin must take into account the Character of God.
It must take into account the fact that Sin really Does Matter, because Sin is
Rebellion against the God who is Light & Holiness, & in whom there is No Darkness at all.
· Your Definition of Sin must take into account the fact that, even as Believers,
we still possess a Sinful Human Nature!
· Your Definition of Sin must take into account the fact that, Sin is still Part of our Conduct.
It needs to counteract the False View of Sinless Perfection, which some churches still teach.

Here in Chapter Three, John gives a Further aspect of the Christian Definition of Sin:
"Everyone who Sins breaks the Law; in fact, Sin is Lawlessness" (3:4).
· The word 'Sin' simply means 'Missing the Mark'.
God gives us his Absolute Standard for Daily Living, which Reflects God's Glory & Holiness:
The First Four Commandments give details about our Duty towards God:
· We are to Worship the One True God; not Make an Idol of anything; & not Misuse his Name.
It follows that we will want to Keep the Lord's Day as a special day of Worship & Adoration.
The Other Six Commandments are about our Duty towards our Fellow Men:
· Parents should be Honoured & Obeyed.
· We must not Commit Murder - either physically or by destroying someone else's character.
· We must be Sexually Pure & not Commit Adultery. Marriage Vows should be taken seriously.
· On a Social Level, we are to be Honest (not Stealing) & be Truthful (not giving False Testimony) Lastly, we must not Covet someone else's possesses.
Jesus Summarised the Law of God, by saying (Matthew 22:37-39 & 5:43-44):
"Love the Lord you God with all your Heart & with all your Soul & with all your Mind.
& Love your Neighbour as yourself" - which includes Loving your Enemies.
The Apostle John is saying:
"Sin is Lawlessness - it is Missing the Mark of any one of these Absolute Standards."
There are many Christian Today who say that Times have Changed.
Therefore, we are no longer bound by these Out-of-date Standards.
· For example: The Standard of Morality among many Christian Young People has changed.
The Christian Daughter will turn round to her mother & say: 'I am moving in with my Boyfriend'
When the mother or father objects, she will simply say: 'It's all right - Everybody is doing it.'
But, how does God view that situation?
· The Living God says: "I am the Almighty & Sovereign God, who has Absolute Standards.
I will NOT accept this argument about the Relative Standards in Modern Day Society.
If you Violate my Standard, you Commit Sin, no matter how many people agree with you!"

Nowhere is Scripture is Sin Defined as 'Offending the Norms of Modern Day British Society.'
· God's Law has nothing to do with what Society might Define as 'Anti-social Behaviour.'
It has nothing to do with Getting on the Wrong Side of the Law in the United Kingdom.
That so-called Standard of Law turns a Blind Eye to Homosexual Behaviour.
It Promotes Easy Abortions; Easy Divorce; & Equal rights for a Common Law Wife.
The Bible makes it clear that God's Standards are NOT Dependent upon a Majority Decision:
· In the Laws of Justice & Mercy - God says:
"Do NOT Follow the Crowd in Doing Wrong - or Doing Evil" (Exodus 23:2).
· God says: "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" (Isaiah 55:8).

John says: True Children of God have a Right View of Sin (3:4-10).
Firstly: John asks: What is your View of Sin? (v4 & 8) by postulating Two Further Questions.
1) What is your Definition of Sin? - This must take into account the Fact that Sin is Lawlessness.
2) What is your View about the Origin of Sin?
· We know that the First Human Rebellion against God took place in the Garden of Eden.
Adam & Eve Disobeyed God by Eating Fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil
The Apostle Paul says:
"Sin entered the world through one man (Adam), & death through sin,
& in this way death came to all men - because All have Sinned" (Romans 5:12).
John certainly does NOT Disagree with this View about the Origin of Sin.
Rather, he traces the Origin of Sin to the One who Tempted Adam & Eve, saying:
"He who does what is Sinful is of the Devil,
because the Devil has been Sinning from the Beginning" (3:8).
John remembered the words of Jesus, when he said (John 8:44):
"Satan was a Murderer from the Beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is No Truth
in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a Liar & the father of Lies."
Even Before the Beginning of the World the Devil had Rebelled against God:
It was Satan who Rebelled against God & became the Leader of all other Rebellious Angels.
Peter describes how God did not spare the Angels who Sinned Against Him -
Along with Satan, they were cast into Hell (2 Peter 2:4).
Isaiah cried out: "How art thou Fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning" (Isaiah 14:12).

The very Names of Satan Reveal that he is the Originator of Sin:
· He is described as: "Beelzebub - The Prince of Demons" (Matthew 12:24).
He epitomises everything which can be described as 'Sinful, Evil, & Wicked.'
· He is also described as:
"Your Enemy (or Adversary) the Devil prowls around
like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
Indeed, the very name 'Satan' means 'Adversary or Enemy' (Frederick Leahy)
In his Revelation, John saw a Vision of Hell, which is referred to as 'The Abyss':
"Smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace" (Revelation 9:2).
The Forces of Evil in Hell had a King over them called: 'The Angel of the Abyss.'
His name in Hebrew is 'Abaddon' - which means 'Bitterness'.
And his name in Greek is 'Apollyon', which means 'Destroyer' (Revelation 9:11).
The sons of Eli, Hophni & Phinehas, were described as 'Sons of Belial'
This is another way of saying, they were 'Sons of Satan.'
· The name 'Belial' means 'Worthlessness or Wickedness'; He Rebels against God Constantly.
The Devil is the 'Father of Wickedness' & everything that is 'Absolutely Worthless.'
In Revelation 12:9, John describes Satan as:
"The Great Dragon who was Hurled Down -That Old Serpent called the Devil or Satan,
who leads the whole world astray."
Furthermore, Paul describes Satan as: "The Ruler of the Kingdom of the Air,
& the spirit who is at work in those who are Disobedient" (Ephesians 2:2).

As Believers, we are must be aware of the Power of the Evil One, who is the Originator of All Sin
· We are not immune from temptation & the attacks of Satan.
· Satan is constantly on the prowl seeking to devour us & draw us away from the Lord (1 Peter 5:8).
The Apostle Paul leaves in no doubt about the Power of Satan:
· In order to Fight Against him, Believers need to be:
"Strong in the Lord & in the Power of his Might" (Ephesians 6:10).
· In order to Fight Against him, we need to (6:11):
"Put on the Whole Armour of God so that we can take our stand against the Devil's Schemes"
We must put on Truth; Righteousness; Peace ; Faith; Salvation; & the Word of God (6:14-17).
Just to put on Part of it is NOT Enough!
· We need to be aware of a Particular Fact in this Spiritual Battle (6:12):
"Our struggle is not against flesh & blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against
the powers of this dark world & against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Even then, Never Forget that you cannot Fight Against Satan unless you:
· Keep on the Alert & Always Keep on Praying in the Power of the Holy Spirit (6:18).
· & Resist the Devil in the Name of the Lord - Knowing that he WILL Flee from you (James 4:7).
The Apostle John gives a Stern Message to anyone who does NOT Fight Against Sin & Satan:
"No one who lives in (Christ) keeps on sinning.
No one who Continues to Sin has either seen (Christ) or known him" (1 John 3:6).
He who (habitually) does what is sinful is of the Devil" (3:8) - He is not of Christ.

John says: True Children of God have a Right View of Sin & a Right view of Christ (3:4-10).
Firstly: What is your View of Sin?
· The True Christian is someone who Believes that Sin is Lawlessness (3:4).
· The True Christian is someone who Believes that that Sin Originates in the Devil (3:8).
· It is someone who Recognises Satan's Power & the need to Put on the Whole Armour of God
Secondly: What is your view of Christ?
· John says: A Christian is someone who has the Right View of the Person & Work of Christ.
1) What is your View of the Person of Christ?
· In Chapter One, John has already told us something about the Person of Christ:
He describes Christ as "That which was from the Beginning" (1:1).
This reminds us of John's Statement of Faith in the Prologue to his Gospel:
"In the beginning was the Word, & the Word was with God, & the Word was God.
He was with God from the beginning" (John 1:1-2).
· John is saying: Jesus is the Eternal Son of God - the Second Person of the Trinity.
Jesus Himself confirms John's Testimony about his Eternal Nature:
"No one has ever entered Heaven except the one who came from Heaven - the Son of Man …
I came from the Father & entered the world" (John 3:13 & 16:28).
· Jesus clearly meant his Hearers to Understand that he is the Eternal Son of God.
Jesus confirms this Same Truth in his High Priestly Prayer (John 17:4-5):
"I have brought you Glory on Earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now,
Father, Glorify me in your presence with the Glory I had with you Before the World Began."
The Apostle John leaves us no doubt that Jesus is 'Very God of Very God, Begotten NOT Created'
· There is no doubt that he possesses All the Divine Attributes of the Almighty & Eternal God.

Furthermore, John leaves us in no doubt that Jesus possesses a Real Human Nature:
· Chapter One tells us about John's Personal Experience of the Human Nature of Christ:
"He is the One whom we have Seen with our eyes & have Looked at,
& our Hands have Touched … He is the Word of Life has 'appeared' in the Flesh (1:1-2).
John continues by saying: "We Proclaim to you what we have Seen & Heard" (1:3);
Therefore, we can Testify to the fact that the Word Really has Come into the World (1:2).
In the Prologue of his Gospel, John testifies to that Same Fact again, by saying:
"The Word became Flesh & dwelt among us" (John 1:14).

In Chapter One of his First Epistle, John explains why he needs to
Testify to BOTH the Divine & Human Natures of Christ:
· This is the only way in which we can possibly proclaim to you the Message of Eternal Life (1:2).
· Furthermore, this is the only way you can have Fellowship with God (1:3).
· This is the only way to make your Joy Complete & to have Full Assurance of Salvation (1:4).
John spells out this Same Truth very clearly in the Last Chapter of this First Epistle:
"I write these things to you who believe in the Name of the Son of God so that
you may know that you have Eternal Life" (1 John 5:13).
· If you are to receive Eternal Life - there is Only One Way you can receive it.
You MUST Believe in God's Son, who Died for your Sins & brought Forgiveness & Salvation.
The Apostle Paul says the same thing to Timothy (1 Timothy 2:5-6):
"There is only One God & One Mediator between God & Men - the Man Christ Jesus …
He is the Only One who has the Power & Authority to Give his Life as a Ransom for Many."
In this Third Chapter of his First Epistle, John asks us if we have
the Right View about the Nature of Christ, by stating a special fact about him:
"In him there is NO SIN" (3:5).
John has already told us that:
"God is Light & in him there is No Darkness at all" (1 John 1:5).
· In order to prove beyond doubt that Jesus is Truly the Son of God,
John must prove beyond any shadow of doubt that Jesus is:
"The Lamb of God who takes away the Sin of the World" (John 1:29).

The Question to Ask yourself is this:
· Do you believe that Jesus is Holy, even as God the Father is Holy?
· Do you believe that Jesus Always WAS & Always WILL BE Absolutely Sinless?
· One of the Worst & Most Blasphemous Films ever made, The Last Temptation of Christ,
had the audacity to Portray the Eternal Son of God as a Wretched Sinner & a Homosexual.
Even the Demons recognised who Jesus was:
"I know who you are - the Holy One of God" (Mark 1:24).

The Apostle John, along with the other Apostles, could give the Same Testimony about Jesus:
· They followed Jesus everywhere for Three Years & they knew him intimately.
The Disciples of Jesus certainly Recognised their Own Sins -
· When Jesus revealed his Power over Nature by helping his Disciples
with a Miraculous Catch of Fish - their spokesman, Peter, says:
"Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man" (Luke 5:8).
· John says: "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves & the truth is not in us"
"If we claim we have not sinned, we make God out to be a liar" (1 John 1:8 & 10).

However, these Sinful Men detected NO SIN Whatsoever in their Lord & Master:
· John says: "In him is NO SIN" -
This is the categorical statement from someone who knew Jesus intimately.
· The Apostle Peter agrees with the Prophet Isaiah (53:9), who says:
"He committed NO SIN, & no deceit was found in his mouth" (1 Peter 2:22).
· Peter verified this Prophesy from his Personal Experience of Jesus, saying:
"When they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate;
When he suffered, he made no threats.
Instead he entrusted himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23).
· Peter again testifies to Jesus' Sinless Nature by calling him:
"The Lamb of God - without blemish or defect" (1 Peter 1:19).
The Apostles recognised the fact that Christ Alone is Without Sin.
They realised that Christ Alone is Full of Goodness, Truth & Righteousness.
They This is why Peter could give this Testimony concerning Jesus:
"You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Matthew 16:16).
" We believe that you are the Holy One of God" (John 6:69)

What would you say in Answer to this Question: "Who do you say that I am?
· Do you believe that Jesus if the Christ, the Son of the Living God?
Do you believe that Jesus possesses All the Attributes of God - including Holiness?
Do you believe that Jesus is Truly the Holy One of God?
Do you believe this categorical statement of the Apostle John - In him there is NO SIN?"
· Do you Realise that, Unless you believe this fact, you have No Basis for your Salvation?

John is asking this Vital Questions - What is your View of Christ?
Firstly: What is your View of the PERSON of Christ?
Secondly: What is your View of the WORK of Christ?
"You know that (Christ) appeared so that he might take away our sins" (3:5).
"The Reason the Son of God appeared was to Destroy the Devil's Work" (3:8).
The Apostle John had heard the Message of John the Baptist regarding the WORK of Christ:
"Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the Sin of the World" (John 1:29).
Now, says John, I believe that this is WHY Jesus Came into this World:
· I know for a certain fact that the World is Full of Lawlessness - that the World is Full of SIN.
John is asserting his Belief that Jesus was Right when he said:
"From within, Out of Men's Hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance & folly" (Mark 7:21).
· John is saying - The World is Full of Lawlessness because Men's Hearts are Full of Sin.
BUT - Jesus Christ came into this World in order to Take Away our Sins."

In Chapter 3:5, John is Re-iterating the Doctrinal Statement of Chapter 2:1-2, saying:
· The One who has NO SIN - has come to Take Away our Sins.
The Righteous One has come to be the Atoning Sacrifice (or the Propitiation) For Our Sins.
The Writer to the Hebrews, in 9:26-28, proclaims the Same Message:
"Christ appeared once for all at the end of the ages to Do Away with Sin by the Sacrifice of
Himself … Christ was Sacrificed Once to Take Away the Sins of many people."
· Jesus came to be the Perfect Sacrifice, so that he might Take Away our Sins for All Eternity!

Ask yourself this Question - What is your view of the WORK of Christ?
· Some say that Jesus came to bring Peace on Earth - That's the Jesus on the Christmas Cards.
· Others say he came to Heal Disease & put an End to Suffering - Jesus is a Great Healer.
· Others say he came to show an Example of How to Live - The Headmaster Image of Jesus.
· Others say he came to promote Moral Reform of Society - That he was a Political Activist.
BUT, What do you say?
· Do you Believe that Jesus Christ Came to this World so that he might Take Away our Sins?
· Unless you Believe this Truth from the Pen of the Apostle John you have No Hope of Salvation!

John emphasises precisely the Same Doctrine by saying:
"The reason the Son of God appeared was to Destroy the Devil's Work" (3:8).
· John is making a Contrast between the Work of the Devil & the Work of Christ.
The Work of Satan is to Lead People Away from God.
· Satan's Greatest Desire is for people to Live in Rebellion Against God.
Satan wants to promote Wickedness, Destruction, Decay & Death in this World.
He wants people to join him in Hell & be separated from God Forever.
The Work of Christ is Completely the Opposite to the Work of Satan:
· Jesus' Greatest Desire is for people to Live in Fellowship with God.
Jesus wants to promote Holiness, Peace, Joy & Contentment in this World.
He wants people to join him in Heaven & to share in his Glory in God's Eternal Presence.
Satan promotes Sin; whilst Christ promotes Righteousness.
Satan promotes Eternal Separation from God; whilst Christ promotes Eternal Life in Heaven.

The Question to Ask yourself is this - Who will you Choose to Follow?
· Will you choose to follow the Devil OR Jesus Christ?
· Will you choose a to promote Sin or Righteousness?
· Will you choose Eternal Separation from God with the Devil in Hell?
OR will you choose Eternal Life & Glory with God & Christ in Heaven?

John says: True Children of God have a Right View of Sin & a Right view of Christ (3:4-10).
Firstly: What is your view of Sin?
· We have looked at the Definition of Sin & Where Sin comes from - i.e. from the Devil.
Secondly: What is your View of the Person & Work of Christ?
· We have looked at the Divine & Human Nature of Christ & the Reason Why he Came.
Thirdly: Do you Seek to Follow Christ's Example?
· There is an Inevitable Logic in the Progression of John's Thought here concerning God's Children.
"No one who lives in him Keeps on Sinning. No one who Continues in Sin has either seen him or known him … No one who is Born of God will Continue to Sin, because God's seed remains in him; He cannot go on sinning, because he has been Born of God" (3:6 & 9).
Unfortunately, the AV is rather misleading here - it reads as follows:
"Whosoever abideth in him Sinneth Not - or Does Not Sin" (3:6).
"Whosoever is Born of God doth not commit sin - or Does Not commit Sin" (3:9).
Both verses use the Present Continuous Tense - so the meaning is:
· "No one who Lives (or Abides) in him Keeps on Sinning."
· "No one who is Born of God will Continue to Sin."

The Apostle John is NOT Teaching the Doctrine of Sinless Perfection here!
· He is NOT saying that the Believer Does NOT Commit Sin.
· Remember what John says in Chapter 1 verse 8:
"If we claim to be Without Sin, we deceive ourselves & the truth is not in us."
There is no contradiction between John's Teaching in Chapter 1 & Chapter 3.
· John is saying - Believers DO SIN; But they DO NOT Sin Habitually & Deliberately.
· Because you are Born of God, you must have no desire to Follow Satan's Ways & Wallow in Sin.
Instead, you should have this text emblazoned on your mind:
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men & to be Holy;
Without Holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).

In the second half of verse 6, John says:
"No one who Continues to Sin has either seen (Christ) or known him."
· In other words, If you Habitually & Deliberately Sin you Cannot Claim to Know Christ.
The Apostle Paul says to the Corinthians:
"Do you not know that the Wicked will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers
nor male prostitutes not homosexual offenders not thieves not the greedy nor drunkards
nor slanderers not swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
· John is saying - If you Live like that, you have No Evidence that you are Born Again..

A Believer's Aim in Life will be Exactly the Opposite:
· We will Strive to Follow the Example of our Saviour - who Did NOT SIN.
John puts this Same Truth in a Positive Way, saying:
"He who Does what is Right is Righteous, just as He is Righteous" (3:7).
When Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount - he gave teaching on How we should Live.
· He summed up the Aim of His True Disciples like this:
"Seek first (God's) Kingdom & His Righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).
Sin is no longer the Ruling Principle in our Lives.
Instead, our Ruling Principle is to Habitually & Deliberately Seek after Righteousness.
Peter Barnes says:
"Practising Righteousness is not just a good & happy thing, something to be recommended,
nor even the ideal for the Christian - it is a necessary proof that we have been Born Again."

John says: True Children of God have a Right View of Sin & a Right view of Christ (3:4-10).
Go home & ask yourself the Questions we have considered together:
What is your view of Sin?
· Do you Define Sin in terms of the Relative Standards of this World?
OR - Is your Definition of Sin governed by the Absolute Standard of God's Moral Law?
· Do you argue that Sin does Not Matter, or that Sin is not part of your Nature or your Conduct?
Or do you Admit that you are a Sinner by Nature & by Practice; & Trace your Sin back to Satan?
What is your View of the Person & Work of Christ?
· Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God OR is he Only a Good Teacher?
Do you Believe that he possesses a Truly Divine & Truly Human Nature, OR is he Only a Man?
· Do you Believe that Jesus was a Sinner, just like the rest of us?
OR Do you Believe that he is the Righteous One of God who Did NOT SIN?
Do you seek to Follow Christ's Example?
· Do you Seek after Righteousness; & do you Fight against Sin & Satan?
OR do you Habitually Follow after Sin & Fall into the Trap of Satan, the Enemy of your Soul?
A Final Question: Do you want to Spend Eternity with Christ in Heaven OR with Satan in Hell?
· The CHOICE is YOURS!