2745.—Doth Not Commit Sin. 1 John 3: 9.
By John Nevins Andrews
"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." Does John mean that if a person is born of God he can not sin, and if he does sin, is it a proof that he never was born of God? Is it always true that the one who is born again "keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not"? 1 John 5:18. J. S. It is the purpose which God regards, the principle that actuates and moves the soul. He who is born of God has the one purpose; he may fall; he may sin, but just as long as he holds unswervingly to that purpose, God counts him His. "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him." 2 Chron. 16:9. Understand "can not" in the sense of "will not," as in the oft quoted expression: "Look you, what I will not, that I can not do." Or as in Luke 14:20: "I have married a wife, and therefore I can not come;" not that it was a physical impossibility, but that there was no desire; and so he that is born of God doth not commit sin; that is not his purpose, his business. He can not, because he will not. The Syriac has it: "Doth not practise sin," that is not his business. There is always danger of poor mortals sinning, and yet the power of God is able to keep one from sin. "My little children, these things write I unto you that ye sin not [or that ye may not sin]. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1.