3:91 John 3:9

Whoever is born of God does not go on living and practicing sin, for sin is breaking God's law and the new birth makes such a life impossible to continue.RH Jun 30, 1910+4 The seed that stays within him is God's incorruptible word abiding in the soul as a living principle of faith that gives power to resist temptation and overcome.ST Apr 30, 1896+2 This marks the dividing line between the children of God and the children of the devil, for the one who practices righteousness is righteous while the one who practices sin and loves not his brother is not of God.Ms 31, 1903, par. 4–5+2 To all who fully surrender, it is both possible and promised to live without sin through Christ's moment-by-moment keeping power as they abide in Him, yet if anyone does sin there is forgiveness upon confession through Jesus Christ the righteous, the Advocate and propitiation for the whole world (1 John 1:8-9; 1 John 2:1-2).Ms 107, 1906, par. 4–6+4 It does not mean that one once sanctified has become unable to sin or to be led astray, and to claim such a sinless state while disobeying His law is false fanaticism that disgraces the Christian name.ST Jan 9, 1896+4

Whoever is born of God does not live in sin, continue in sin, or practice sin, and cannot sin because the new birth makes sin incompatible with the life God gives.RH Jun 30, 1910+4 This changed birth is shown by doing what is right and loving others, by sincere obedience and by communion of heart and mind with God made visible in good words and deeds, while a profession of knowing Christ without righteous conduct and good fruit is false.RH Jun 30, 1910+2 The contrast manifests the difference between the children of God and the children of the devil, between doing righteousness as God's children and committing sin as the devil's children, with sin defined in the surrounding teaching as transgression of the law and with those abiding in Christ not sinning.Ms 31, 1903, par. 4–5+2 This instruction is to be received and profited by as revealing the wonderful love the Lord has shown on behalf of the sinful race, and it applies to all church members including members of Seventh-day Adventist churches.Ms 31, 1903, par. 4–5+1 One who knows the truth yet disobeys it, denies wrongdoing, and will not confess sin is not walking in the light or living this truth.RH Jun 30, 1910

His seed remaining in him is the incorruptible word of God which lives and abides forever, the word of truth by which God begets His children to be firstfruits and by which disciples are sanctified.ST Apr 30, 1896 That seed is the words of God abiding in the soul as a living, abiding principle of genuine faith in His pardon and cleansing, giving power from God to keep the soul in Christ under temptation so as to overcome temptation and hereafter resist sin in and through Christ's might.Lt 13, 1893, par. 42–44+2 Truth thus held in the heart sanctifies life and character into doing righteousness and not merely professing it, while to say sins are pardoned yet still commit sin without resisting temptation has no virtue and is deception.Lt 13, 1893, par. 42–44+1 By this doing of righteousness and by love in deed and in truth and not in word or tongue only the children of God are manifest as distinct from the children of the devil, and the transformation is wrought through the Scriptures as the great agency by the Word of God which is truth, received by grace through faith as the gift of God with works testifying of sanctification as outward evidence of the inward change from death in trespasses and sins to life together with Christ.Lt 13, 1893, par. 42–44+2

Sin is transgression of the law of Jehovah, so to not commit sin is to not break God's law and not be found in transgression of it.ST Apr 30, 1896+3 Whoever is born of God respects the principles of the divine government and will not wilfully transgress the law of God in thought or word or action.ST Apr 30, 1896 The law of God is the standard that tests every doctrine, every theory, and every profession, and the verse gives the measurement of claims to be God's children or to be wholly sanctified with advanced piety while disobeying His express command and keeping up unrelenting warfare against His law, so that such high pretensions must not deceive.ST Apr 30, 1896+1

The verse manifests the difference between the children of God and the children of the devil.Ms 31, 1903, par. 4–5+4 He that does righteousness is righteous, while he that commits sin is of the devil, and whosoever does not righteousness and loves not his brother is not of God.Ms 120, 1903, par. 11–14+3 Being born of God is incompatible with continuing in sin because God's seed remains in the person, and this birth is shown by sincere obedience, communion with God, and good fruit in words and deeds, so that a profession of knowing Christ and keeping His commandments without righteous conduct and good works is false and makes a person a liar who will receive according to deeds.Ms 120, 1903, par. 11–14+4 This is instruction to be received and profited by, revealing the wonderful love the Lord has shown in behalf of the sinful race, and it applies to all church members, including members of Seventh-day Adventist churches.Ms 31, 1903, par. 4–5+2 The abiding seed is an abiding principle in the soul that enables overcoming temptation and resisting sin in and through Christ's might by genuine faith in His pardon and cleansing, for God has power to keep the soul that is in Christ when under temptation, so knowingly committing sin is incompatible with being healed, and the true believer is sanctified through the truth in life and character, doing righteousness and not merely professing it, with love in deed and in truth and not in word only.Ms 120, 1903, par. 11–14+1

Its surrounding teaching defines sin as transgression of the law, declares that Christ was manifested to take away sins and in Him is no sin, teaches that those who abide in Christ do not sin, shows that doing righteousness reflects Christ's righteousness even as He is righteous, and proclaims that the Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil who has sinned from the beginning.Lt 72, 1906, par. 13–17+3 Full surrender to God makes it possible to live without sin in obedience to heaven's law, and whoever is born of God lives righteously and does not commit sin because God's seed remains in him.Ms 107, 1906, par. 4–6+2 Remaining in this state depends on having Christ abiding in the heart, which is impossible without constantly beholding Him.Ms 66, 1905, par. 1–3

This New Testament truth agrees perfectly with Old Testament history.Ms 1, 1897, par. 33 After light has come through Scripture no one has excuse for not walking in the light, for an unseen influence draws the soul to obedience so that it may bear witness to the truth.Ms 1, 1897, par. 33 The verse belongs with the teaching that the law and the gospel form a perfect whole, by which those who truly receive Christ are given power to become God's children and God's gifts of grace are received to be shared with others.SPBC 152.2–3+1 The passage from verse 9 through verse 24 is presented as part of a testimony that brings the law and the gospel together as a perfect whole.14MR 130.2–131.1

The chapter links love to God and love to brethren closely together.Ms 88, 1893, par. 35–37 It expresses the great principles of the law in the two precepts to love the Lord God with all the heart and to love neighbor as self, upon which hang all the law and the prophets, showing the love of God in life and character in treatment of fellow men.Ms 88, 1893, par. 35–37 It calls each person to know on whose side he stands, either the side of the adversary or the side of Christ who kept His Father's commandments, a message for Sabbath worship and for candidates preparing for baptism.Lt 11, 1900, par. 27

To everyone who surrenders fully to God is given the wonderful possibility and privilege of living without sin in obedience to heaven's law.Ms 107, 1906, par. 4–6+1 This is the possibility of becoming sons and daughters of God and walking uprightly in a crooked and perverse generation, showing the contrast between the principles of Christ and the principles of Satan.Ms 31, 1903, par. 9 It comes through having the Saviour's keeping power every moment, by a faith that shows itself in practice, in faithful service to God done as a pleasure and not a task, and in learning Christ's meekness and lowliness that makes His yoke easy and His burden easy.Ms 31, 1903, par. 9 It means daily refining, sanctifying and purifying of character, keeping hereditary and cultivated tendencies under control, keeping sacred fire and not common fire, speaking as Christ spoke with no harsh, passionate or rash word, and thus witnessing in daily life to the power of grace.Ms 31, 1903, par. 9 Doing righteousness in this way reflects Christ's righteousness, for the Son of God came to destroy the devil's works.Ms 107, 1906, par. 4–6

God has power to keep the soul that is in Christ when under temptation, for His seed abiding in the soul is an abiding principle that enables overcoming temptation and hereafter resisting sin in and through Christ's might by genuine faith in His pardon and cleansing.Lt 13, 1893, par. 42–44+1 Truth in the heart thus sanctifies the life and character, so that true faith gives power from God to keep the soul in Christ under temptation.Lt 101, 1893, par. 3–5 Knowingly committing sin without resisting temptation is therefore incompatible with being healed, and to say sins are pardoned while still committing sin without resistance has no virtue and is deception.Lt 13, 1893, par. 42–44+1 A true believer is sanctified through the truth in life and character, doing righteousness and not merely professing it, for doing righteousness, not merely professing it, is what makes a person righteous.Lt 13, 1893, par. 42–44+1 By this the children of God are manifest as distinct from the children of the devil, in that whosoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother, for love must be in deed and in truth and not in word or tongue only.Lt 13, 1893, par. 42–44+1

Remaining in this sinless state depends on having Christ abiding in the heart, which is impossible without constantly beholding Him.Ms 66, 1905, par. 1–3 Whoever is born of God lives righteously and does not commit sin because God's seed remains in him, and doing righteousness proves one righteous even as Christ is righteous, while committing sin shows belonging to the devil who has sinned from the beginning, and the Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil.Ms 66, 1905, par. 1–3 This birth from God is shown by abiding in Christ under the anointing that teaches all truth, by having confidence and not shame at His coming, by doing righteousness because He is righteous, and by loving the brethren as the message heard from the beginning, which proves passing from death unto life, in contrast to Cain who was of that wicked one and slew his brother because his own works were evil and his brother's righteous.Ms 12, 1899, par. 17–18

The promise that those born of God shall not commit sin must be read so that it agrees with the truth that to say we have no sin is to deceive ourselves with the truth not in us.ST Apr 30, 1896 It leaves room for confession of sins, for confessing brings faithful and just forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness, while saying we have not sinned makes God a liar with His word not in us.ST Apr 30, 1896 If anyone does sin there is an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world.Ms 66, 1905, par. 1–3 Not committing sin is proved by keeping His commandments, for to claim to know Him without keeping His commandments is to lie with the truth not in him, while keeping His word perfects the love of God in him and shows being in Him.ST Apr 30, 1896 The commandment to be kept is no new commandment but the old commandment had from the beginning.ST Apr 30, 1896

Being born of God means receiving the grace of Christ, which makes a marked change in character.Ms 105, 1894, par. 14–15 It requires being born again to see God's kingdom, and connects this new birth with abhorring dishonesty, falsehood, and every form of wrongdoing.Lt 99, 1905, par. 8–10 It is the testimony to be sounded by God's people throughout the world so all may discern the light and walk in the light, binding law and gospel together in a perfect whole.Lt 57, 1895, par. 47–48 It is impressed on every opened, contrite heart to give light and understanding, giving power to become the sons of God.Lt 57, 1895, par. 47–48 It is not a mere nominal faith, theory of truth, or legal religion, but believing to a purpose that appropriates God's richest gifts, pleads for the gift to give to others, and receives of His fulness grace for grace.Lt 57, 1895, par. 47–48 The grace of Christ received in the new birth is diffusive toward others, and as the believing soul receives the truth as it is in Jesus he obtains a glimpse of the righteousness of Christ in the law that leads him to pray to behold wondrous things out of it.Ms 105, 1894, par. 14–15

Being born of God is made evident by a changed life that practices righteousness and loves one another, and good works with fruits of righteousness reveal passing from death unto life.19MR 176.2+2 This change is shown by doing what is right rather than living in sin, by sincere obedience and communion with God made visible in good words and deeds.RH Jun 30, 1910+2 Such works testify to sanctification as the outward evidence of the inward change from death in trespasses and sins to life together with Christ, received by grace through faith and wrought through the Scriptures as the great agency of transformation by the Word of God which is truth.ST Oct 13, 1898 That witness includes following Christ's humility and virtues in action and displaying His perfection through purity in conduct and right use of talents, which applies to all church members including members of Seventh-day Adventist churches.19MR 176.2+1

Knowing God means heart-and-mind communion with Him obtained through sincere obedience, and that knowledge of Christ is made visible in good words and deeds.RH Jun 30, 1910+1 Claiming to know God and to keep His commandments without manifesting it by righteous conduct and good fruit is false and makes a person a liar who will receive according to deeds.RH Jun 30, 1910+2 A person who knows the truth but disobeys it, denies wrongdoing, and will not confess sin is not walking in the light or living this truth, but reveals manliness and firmness are lacking in Christian character.RH Jun 30, 1910+1 A cheap Christian character works more harm in the world than the character of a worldling, for professed Christians mislead others by professing to represent Him whose name they assume.Lt 2, 1895, par. 1–4 The verse exposes those who claim to be God's children while disobeying His express command, and gives the measurement of high pretensions that must not deceive.Lt 35, 1898, par. 19+1

Love must be in deed and in truth and not in word or tongue only, shown by keeping His commandments and doing what is pleasing in His sight.Lt 13, 1893, par. 42–44+2 It is shown by walking in the light as God is in the light, having fellowship with one another through the cleansing blood of Jesus, and showing compassion to a brother in need, for shutting up compassion proves the love of God does not dwell in him.Ms 108, 1899, par. 22–25+1 Love for the brethren proves passing from death unto life, while hatred of a brother is murder with no eternal life abiding in him.Ms 108, 1899, par. 22–25+1 Cherishing heart-burnings, bitterness, unkind thoughts and unkind speech toward brethren proves one is of the wicked one like Cain, whose works were evil and who slew his brother because his own works were evil and his brother's righteous, and no provocation excuses harboring unkindness and malice in the heart.Ms 108, 1899, par. 22–25+2 To be accepted before God a person must daily exemplify loving enemies, blessing those who curse, doing good to those who hate, and praying for those who misuse and persecute, earnestly seeking God's grace to kill every fiber of the root of bitterness and letting the love of Jesus take possession of the soul to reveal itself in words and works.ST Jan 4, 1883

The new birth subdues the love of sin and self and renews the person under Christ's control through Christ's Spirit bringing powers and desires under His rule.AAP 4.1+2 The person recognizes that Christ has bought body and spirit with His blood, so belongs to God and is bound to glorify God in body and spirit in grateful, willing service.AAP 4.1+2 He regards Christ's service as freedom, delights in God's law, and strives to live up to its perfection rather than lowering its commands to excuse shortcomings, weakness, or failures.AAP 4.1+3

The one born of God must become what God designed, a free soul in Christ Jesus, not free to continue in sin but free to practice virtue and holiness.9MR 213.4–214.1 This freedom is to be used as servants of God under the rule of Christ, practicing the Word like a child with consistency of conduct in words, in patience, in meekness.9MR 213.4–214.1 Calling Him Master and Lord requires doing the things He says, not oppressing or speaking bitterness.9MR 213.4–214.1

Those born of God cannot join hands with the world in fellowship and unity because they serve different masters and cannot mix any more than oil and water.Ms 85, 1893, par. 45–49 Each must stand individually in God's strength and not in weak and inefficient strength, with an individuality that cannot be submerged in any living human being, having the Lord as strength and light and comfort and joy.Ms 85, 1893, par. 45–49 Husband and wife must each stand as God's property belonging to Christ who gave His life for them, looking to God and obeying God, walking in the truth when it comes in pure certain light and not stopping investigation because family members have no interest, receiving special help from God.Ms 85, 1893, par. 45–49 Stepping aside from the customs and practices of the world, especially in keeping the Sabbath, brings the cross to be endured for Christ's sake, with lack of harmony between those who serve God and those who serve Him not.Ms 85, 1893, par. 45–49 Being born of God must be revealed to angels and men by living definitely for God with an eye single to His glory and not uplifting self, requiring very decided and thorough changes in practices in order to be numbered at last with the redeemed family, so that serving and honoring God becomes the highest object and prudence and wisdom of words and acts become a constant witness for God revealing Him to the world.Lt 257, 1903, par. 10

To set aside the sanctified seventh-day Sabbath, God's holy memorial of creation on which He rested after making the world in six days, and to exalt a spurious rival sabbath, is transgression of the law.Ms 110, 1893, par. 2–3 It is the work of Satan through the papal power named the man of sin, who sins from the beginning, while Christ was manifested to take away sins and in Him is no sin, and the Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil.Ms 110, 1893, par. 2–3 Those born of God with God's words remaining in them as His seed cannot do this, for he that does righteousness is righteous even as He is righteous, and he that commits sin is of the devil.Ms 110, 1893, par. 2–3

The verse means the wonderful possibility of becoming sons and daughters of God and walking uprightly in a crooked and perverse generation, showing the contrast between the principles of Christ and the principles of Satan through having the Saviour's keeping power every moment.Ms 31, 1903, par. 9 It means faith that shows itself in practice, in faithful service to God done as a pleasure not a task, and in learning Christ's meekness and lowliness that makes His yoke easy and His burden easy.Ms 31, 1903, par. 9 It means daily refining, sanctifying and purifying of character, keeping hereditary and cultivated tendencies under control, keeping sacred fire and not common fire.Ms 31, 1903, par. 9 It means speaking as Christ spoke with no harsh, passionate, or rash word, and thus witnessing in daily life to the power of grace.Ms 31, 1903, par. 9

The verse does not mean that a person once sanctified can no longer sin or has become incapable of sinning.8T 292.5–293.3+2 It does not mean that sanctified desires can never lead astray.RH Jan 21, 1904 To claim an extreme sanctification in which one cannot sin and is ready for translation is false fanaticism.LSEGW 133.2–3 Such claims disgrace the Christian name, and the verse gives no defense for professing sinlessness while living in a way that disgraces it.LSEGW 133.2–3+1

A false profession of perfect love and a sinless heart proves nothing when the life is marked by hypocrisy and corruption.LS 265.2–267.1 When hidden wrongdoing is brought to light, genuine repentance is shown by confession and, in some cases, restitution.LS 265.2–267.1 Claiming that the sanctified cannot sin can encourage sinful desires and conduct.8T 292.5–293.3 A claim of sinless holiness can be used to excuse impure thoughts and actions.RH Jan 21, 1904 A profession of holiness may still be far from purity in thought and life, and professed sanctification does not make the affections safe from temptation.8T 292.5–293.3+1

The verse measures all claims to be God's children by this test, that whoever is born of God is not found in transgression of God's law.ST Jan 9, 1896 It exposes those who claim to be God's children while disobeying His express command.ST Jan 9, 1896 It exposes those who claim to be wholly sanctified and profess advanced piety while keeping up unrelenting warfare against God's law.ST Jan 9, 1896 Their high pretensions must not deceive.ST Jan 9, 1896