4 January 2023

Those who have been born of God do not sin, because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot sin, because they have been born of God. The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters.

From I John 3:7-10, NRSV

In yesterday’s reading we heard John telling his readers that they were God’s children. Today we hear John outlining how this status should be seen in  actions and behaviour. John makes a clear distinction between the children of God and the children of the devil – those who do not do right and who do not love their fellow brothers and sisters cannot claim to be God’s children. This sets a very high standard which we may feel we cannot live up to at all times. However, John is not saying that Christians will never sin again. In fact, earlier in this letter he had written that “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Whilst John is not saying that we will never sin again, he is saying that we do not need to be defined by our sin and that when we sin, we need to turn to God in repentance and in trust in God’s desire to forgive and restore us to wholeness.

• • What do you think John means when he speaks of God’s “seed” abiding in his children?
  • What difference does it make when we are able to trust in God rather than seeking to control our own lives?

In a time of quiet prayer, lay before God those aspects of your life for which you seek forgiveness and healing.