IN, NOW OUT

 

IN, NOW OUT

1John GW 3:1-14 Consider this: The Father has given us his love. He loves us so much that we are actually called God's dear children. And that's what we are. For this reason the world doesn't recognize us, and it didn't recognize him either. Dear friends, now we are God's children. What we will be isn't completely clear yet. We do know that when Christ appears we will be like him because we will see him as he is. So all people who have this confidence in Christ keep themselves pure, as Christ is pure. Those who live sinful lives are disobeying God. Sin is disobedience. You know that Christ appeared in order to take away our sins. He isn't sinful. Those who live in Christ don't go on sinning. Those who go on sinning haven't seen or known Christ. Dear children, don't let anyone deceive you. Whoever does what God approves of has God's approval as Christ has God's approval. The person who lives a sinful life belongs to the devil, because the devil has been committing sin since the beginning. The reason that the Son of God appeared was to destroy what the devil does. Those who have been born from God don't live sinful lives. What God has said lives in them, and they can't live sinful lives. They have been born from God.  This is the way God's children are distinguished from the devil's children. Everyone who doesn't do what is right or love other believers isn't God's child. The message that you have heard from the beginning is to love each other. Don't be like Cain. He was a child of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain murder his brother? Because the things Cain did were evil and the things his brother did had God's approval. Brothers and sisters, don't be surprised if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love other believers. The person who doesn't grow in love remains in death. [Note 1Jn.1:1-10]

  We too may Adam-like, blame Him, she, him, extenuating circumstances, prevailing conditions, but there’s no getting around the truth that as individual we are primarily responsible before God.

  It is important to take note of the word “entered” in Romans 5:12; Eve and Adam nor you or I would not have a sinful nature if Adam had opted for trusting God over Satan.

  This internal sin nature was soon lived by and acted out by Cain.

  Read Genesis 4 account and note several things.

·         It was not murder highlighted first as sin, but anger.

·         God plainly presented option for remedial action. Cain refused.

·         God plainly explained to Cain that he could rule over the sin.

·         God plainly explained that he was responsible for his decisions and actions.

·         God held Cain responsible for his decisions and actions.

·         Cain, as had his parents, suffered expulsion, separation, plus additional increase in labor to survive.

  Scripture warns “Don't be like Cain. He was a child of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain murder his brother? Because the things Cain did were evil and the things his brother did had God's approval.” (GW 1Jn.3:12) 

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