For a few verses now John the apostle has been sharing with us about sins and transgressions. He's written about Jesus who was manifested to take away our sins, and he's given us a description of the person who habitually continues in sin and their lack of knowledge of Jesus. In fact, John points out that those who habitually sin have not seen Jesus nor known Him at all. Today in First John chapter three and verse seven John contrasts the person who is righteous with the person who sins, and the difference is related to their habitual practices. He wrote:
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Notice with me first that once again John refers to his readers as “little children.” As a father who gives instruction to his children, the aged apostle desires to care for those who have come after him in the faith. He does so first by demonstrating care, and then giving warning: “let no man deceive you”. John knew the potential for deception was available. There were and are people who are misguided, mistaken and outright wrong when speaking on spiritual matters. This was apparent in John's day, and so it is today. We must be very careful to examine the ideas that people project into the world. Deception is real, and those who promote thoughts and ideas that conflict with the Bible and the teachings of Jesus are deceptive. John intends to inform those who will listen to him about those misleading practices.
One area of deception is the contrast between sinfulness and righteousness. John says that the person who “does righteousness” or has a habit of righteousness is a righteous person. When we do not know Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, the natural tendency is to have a habit of sin. Most people who involve themselves in sinful practices think nothing of it because it has become part of their lifestyle. People who do so will even argue with someone about their freedom and rights to practice whatever they desire. But for the people who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord, their practices and habits change. Their desire is no longer to sin and involve themselves in sinful practices but rather to be righteous and do righteous things. Although no one is perfect, their “bent” or their “habits” are in a different direction. Those who know Jesus Christ want to be righteous, and Jesus' example of being righteous is the standard.
There are those in the world who would teach otherwise. They save “live and let live”, “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die”. However, John disagrees with them. John's declaration directs his “little children” to continue in acts of righteousness, and for those willing to examine themselves, John's standard of Jesus' righteousness becomes a mirror into which we all should reflect.
Next time we shall look at the most deceptive being, the devil, and his influence on sin, so read ahead, and we shall share together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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