No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. (1 John 3:6)
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS IMPOSSIBLE. I know that is an extreme statement, but so is the one the apostle John made: “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning” (1 John 3:6). Really? Do you know anyone who actually lives up to that standard?
Before you turn the page and move on, let’s back up the truck and park here a moment. The Christian life is impossible—only if you try to live it in your own strength. And the statement about no more sinning needs some attention.
Nowhere does the Bible say we can get to the place in life where it is impossible to sin. What the Bible does teach us is this: It is possible not to sin. Get the difference? Do you suppose God’s grace could keep you from sinning—from committing some willful act of disobedience—for one hour? Most would answer, “Of course. His grace is sufficient.”
How about two hours? Half a day? A whole day? How about a whole week? You get the picture.
What John wanted us to see is that if we are committed to Christ, we will, as the old-timers used to say, “Get out of the sin business.” Disobedience will no longer characterize our lives. After all, “we died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Rom. 6:2).
By His grace, let’s determine to live a holy life today!
Live this day in the power of Christ over sin.
Ron McClung, who works at his denomination’s world headquarters, lives in Fishers, Indiana, with his wife, Carol. They have two sons, nine grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.
