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1 John 3:9

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 12, 1870

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 35, No. 17.

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1 John 3:9.

“WHOSOEVER is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”
The word here rendered born, more properly signifies, begotten. The change that is brought to view under this figure is undoubtedly, conversion. Is it then true, as some contend, that it is not possible for a truly converted man to sin? We know that such a position cannot be correct; for many that have given every evidence of genuine conversion, have fallen away; and Paul, even, feared that such might be case with himself. The difficulty in this case lies in taking the word, cannot, in an absolute sense. There is another sense attached to it by universal consent, denoting moral, not physical, impossibility. Thus we say of any good man that it is morally impossible for him to do such and such things of a wicked nature, as to lie, steal, murder, &c. Why? Not because he has not power to do such acts, if he was so disposed: but we know from the nature of the man, his example and profession, that he will not; that, until he is entirely changed in these respects, it is no more probable that he will do such acts, than it would be if he lacked the physical power to do them.
And how often we hear men, in intercourse with each other, when solicited to any acts while they disapprove, say that they cannot do it. Why? Not because they lack the physical power; but because it is contrary to that moral sense of right and wrong, which they make their rule of action. And such expressions are never misinterpreted, nor misunderstood.
So in the case before us. If a man is truly converted, the whole tenor of his life and the inclination of his mind is against sin. He cannot, like the wicked, pursue sin for love of it, nor follow it as the chief good of his existence. He has, indeed, the physical capability of committing sin; but his sense of moral obligation, his vows of allegiance to his Redeemer, the reformed emotions and affections of his soul, are all drawing him in another direction.