Practice of Sin What is our moral compass? 1 John 3:4-7

Where do you want to go?  Alice in Wonderland asked the Cheshire Cat, “Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?”  “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.”  Our moral decisions depend on where we want to get to.

The Practice of Sin  Some Christians think they have risen above sin – it is not a problem for them.  Some misunderstand grace – thinking that it will cover any sin they have.  Others think they will never win against temptation – sin will always be a problem for them

1 John 3:4 – Practice of Sin commits  Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. (NKJV) indulgein a sinful life  All who indulge in a sinful life are dangerously lawless, for sin is a major disruption of God's order. (Message) practicing  Every one practicing sin also practices lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. (ALT)

1 John 3:4 – Practice of Sin keeps living in sin  Everyone who keeps living in sin also practices disobedience. In fact, sin is disobedience. (ISV) practicing  Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. (LITV) practices  Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness. (MKJV)

Definition of Sin  John is NOT saying sin is impossible for us –1 John 1:8 –1 John 1:8 - If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. –1 John 2:1 –1 John 2:1 - My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Definition of Sin  Sin is serious – pay attention – don’t deny or ignore the potential for sin  Sin is lawlessness – anarchy  Sin is when we obey self rather than God  We are not talking about a moment of weakness  We are discussing a way of life (practice)

Contradiction  1 John 3:5  1 John 3:5 - And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin  Jesus came to take away sin  In Christ there is no sin  Why are some living in sin?  How can we practice sin and be in Christ?

Problem  1 John 3:6 -  1 John 3:6 - Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.  Our problem – we fail to ABIDE in Christ.  The theme of chapter 2 – ABIDE  1 John 2:6, 10-11, 14, 24, 27, 28  Whoever abides in Christ does not abide in sin.

Danger  1 John 3:7-8 -  1 John 3: Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Danger  A righteous man practices righteousness  One who practices sin is of the devil  The question is not – Have you ever sinned?  The question is – Are you practicing sin?

Reminder  1 John 3:8b-10  1 John 3:8b-10 - For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

Reminder  Jesus came to destroy the works (power) of the devil.  No one born of God practices sin  It is obvious by their fruit what the practice

Conclusion  Which way do you want to go?  Cheshire Cat  Cheshire Cat – “It depends a good deal of where you want to go to.”  Do you want to go to heaven?  How you live matters.