Reading: 1 John 3:4-10
We all dislike bullies. Sin is the bully that continues to terrorize people in all places at all times. It is a harsh slave master that wields a death-like grip on all its subjects. John tells us that sin is not just doing things that are against God’s law (1 John 3:4), it is also doing so with a clenched fist. It is rebellion against God. Also, all sins are energized by the Devil himself (3:8–9). We may conclude then that sin is not just something people do, it is what the Devil uses to exercise mastery over those who do it. What’s worse is that in the end, sin kills those who practice it (Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:15).
Sadly, unless we are rescued by someone who is more powerful, the grip of sin over us remains unloosened, and our destruction is assured. Thankfully, John reminds us that the reason Jesus “appeared” was “to take away sins” (3:5). Because Jesus was sinless (3:5b), he was not weakened in any way by his own slavery to sin. Therefore, He could exercise full and final mastery over sin and the Devil. Like a powerful boxer, Jesus punched sin in the face and destroyed it through his sin-removing death on the cross! Consequently, he has destroyed sin’s condemning and controlling power over his people.
Since sin is now disarmed and destroyed, we who have “been born of God” (3:9) are under new management. God is our new master and righteousness is our friend. Instead of abiding in sin, we “abide in Christ” (3:6). Instead of sin abiding in us, “the seed of God’s word abides in us” (3:9). True Christians are God’s sons and not sons of Satan. We are servants of God, not subject to sin and its demands.
Consider with me two implications of our newfound identity in Christ. First, we cannot and should not “make a practice of sinning” (3:4, 8, 9). To habitually cuddle sin is simply inconsistent with our new nature. This is not who we are! Having been delivered from that murderous bully, shall we be found cuddling it? May it never be!
Second, If we continue to make excuses for sin, we only prove that our vision of Christ has become blurred or distorted. We become like those who have “neither seen him nor known him” (3:6). In the end, it is similar to rejecting our gentle Saviour and choosing our former harsh slave master. It’s a bad trade-off.
Beloved, are there sins you’ve found yourself constantly enjoying and pursuing lately? Are there temptations you’ve found yourself yielding to helplessly? May this season remind you that Jesus has appeared to box the bully called sin to death. He has freed you from your slave-like posture towards that sin. You are a child of God. You are righteous, and by God’s grace you can walk in righteousness.