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Whosoever is Born of God Does Not Commit Sin

Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by Jerry Shugart, Jan 11, 2012.

  1. Jerry Shugart

    Jerry Shugart New Member

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    "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (1 Jn.3:9).

    In his commerntary on this verse Zane Hodges says that "One who is born of God...does not sin precisely 'because God's sin remains in him,' and he cannot sin 'because he has been born of God.' 'God's seed' is His nature, given to each believer at salvation (John 1:13; 2 Peter 1:4). The point here is that the child parakes of the nature of his Parent. The thought of a sinless Parent who begets a child who only sins a little is far from the author's mind...Sin is not, nor ever can be, anything but satanic. It can never spring from what a Christian truly is at the level of his regenerate being...The Christian still experiences a genuine struggle with the flesh and overcomes its impulses only by the help of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:16-26). Paul's thinking also conforms with this view. In his struggle with sin he was able to conclude, 'Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it' (Rom. 7:20). In this way Paul could perceive sin as not a real part of what he was at the most inward level of his being" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary; New Testament, ed. Walvoord & Zuck[Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1983], 894-895).
     
  2. The Biblicist

    The Biblicist Well-Known Member
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    If this is taken in the absolute sense "cannot sin" in regard to the whole person then we need never confess our sins or ask forgiveness for something we "cannot" have done.

    If this is taken in the absolute sense in regard to where "seed" actually dwells - the new man, the new creation, the inward man, the spirit of man or what has been created in true holiness and righteousness then that is absolutely true. The spirit of man as opposed to his soul and body is completely glorified and that is what is born of the Spirit (Jn. 3:6).

    If this is taken in merely the sense of "cannot habitually practice WILLFUL sin" or "make WILLFUL sin the habitual practice" then there can be some truth in that idea.

    However, if you are interpreting "cannot sin" to mean "for long periods of time" can live above sin then that is stretching the language beyond its reasonable limits and contrary to other scriptures (Philip. 3:12-14; 1 Jn. 1:8-10).
     
  3. Jerry Shugart

    Jerry Shugart New Member

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    I believe that it is only when a Christian is walking after the Spirit that his nature as being "born of God" is manifested. When that happens the Christian is free from the law of sin (Ro.8:2). Also, it is only then that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us:

    "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Ro.8:4).

    David Brown says:

    "--"the righteous demand," "the requirement" [ALFORD], Or "the precept" of the law; for it is not precisely the word so often used in this Epistle to denote "the righteousness which justifies" ( Rom 1:17 3:21 4:5, 6 5:17, 18, 21 ), but another form of the same word, intended to express the enactment of the law, meaning here, we believe, the practical obedience which the law calls for.

    might be fulfilled in us--or, as we say, "realized in us."

    who walk--the most ancient expression of the bent of one's life, whether in the direction of good or of evil ( Gen 48:15 Psa 1:1 Isa 2:5 Mic 4:5 Eph 4:17 1Jo 1:6, 7 ).

    not after--that is, according to the dictates of

    the flesh, but after the spirit--From Rom 8:9 it would seem that what is more immediately intended by "the spirit" here is our own mind as renewed and actuated by the Holy Ghost" (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary on Romans 8).

    As long as the Christian is walking after the Spirit the righteous demand of the law are realized in him. I also believe that a Christian can walk after the Spirit for long periods of time. Here Paul is descrining how he and other Christians lived their lives:

    "Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe" (1 Thess.2:10).
     
  4. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    http://www.plymouthbrethren.org/user/395

    The PBs are hyperdispensationalists who think the Church began with St Paul and that Jesus' teachings are only for OT Jews. Dallas Theo. is basically a PB school.
     
  5. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

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    Why are you quoting from Zane Hodges?
    http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/doctrine/hodgesho.htm

    His teachings or beliefs are not exactly orthodox.
     
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