Feb 22, 2015
Series: True Knowledge; True Assurance | Category: 1, 2, 3 John | Scripture: 1 John 3:9–3:10 |
"If sanctification is not occurring in your life, then you are not saved."
I. The sanctifying power of the new birth. (1 John 3:9a, c)
"No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God." (ESV)
The new birth is a monergistic work. In other words, it is God alone who is at work in the new birth. (See John 3:1-16)
(See also 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Righteous living is grounded in the new birth itself. Where the new birth occurs, there will be righteous living.
II. The relational reality of the new birth. (1 John 3:9b)
"God's seed abides in him [i.e., in the one who has been born again]."
The works of the saved can be pleasing to God, though they are mixed with some unrighteousness due to the new birth.
III. The evidential difference made by the new birth. (1 John 3:10)
The children of God practice righteousness while the children of the devil practice sinning. The practice of your life gives evidence of who your father really is.