A BROTHER asks for our “ideas” of 1 John 3:9. Every scripture that is properly studied will give us “ideas.” And the individual to whom we may impart these “ideas” should be able to see them in the scripture itself, rather than in what is said about the scripture. The text in question reads, “Whosoever is born of ‘God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in ‘him: and he can not sin, because he is born of ‘God.’” I John 3:9. A little study of the foregoing text in connection with some other portions of Scripture will show that the “seed” which “remaineth in him,” and keeps him so that “he can not sin,” is the Word of God. The following is one of the scriptures:— “He spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, . . . and some fell among thorns; . . . and other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundred-fold.” In His interpretation of the parable, Jesus said:— “The seed is the Word of God. Those by the wayside are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the Word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the Word with joy; and these have no root, which for awhile believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which, in an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:4-15. “The seed is the Word of God;” and they who produce fruit,—the ones who are the final overcomers, and the inheritors of everlasting life,—are the ones who have “an honest and good heart,” who hear the “Word,” and “keep it.” All such have the “patience” necessary for fruit-bearing, and no other class can do it. Then it is perfectly plain that the power which enables one to experience in his own life the fulfilment of 1 John 3:9, is the power of the Word of God itself. In speaking of his own experience, the psalmist says: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse ‘his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy ‘Word.” Ps. 119:9. And again he says, “Thy ‘Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin ‘against Thee.” Ps. 119:11. The whole question resolves itself into a matter of divine philosophy. If we would experience the power of living above the malarial swamps of sin, it is necessary for us to have the experience of feeding continually upon the active words of Jehovah. We trust that no one will look upon this as merely our “ideas” about 1 John 3:9, but rather that all will seek for the life-giving experience of eating the words of life. T.