John the Revelator Speaks

Let's begin in 1 John 1:1-2. John, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, writes:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life... For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us.

John had a unique privilege. He didn't just hear about Jesus spiritually—he walked with Him. He touched Him, ate with Him, traveled with Him, and witnessed His works firsthand. When John speaks, he's giving us assurance based on direct experience.

Notice that the Word in 1 John 1:1 is capitalized. This is a noun—it refers to somebody tangible, somebody you can touch. The Word is not abstract; it is Jesus Christ Himself, the physical manifestation of God on earth. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us.

The Message of Joy

In verse 3, John says:

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

John is opening his letter by establishing credibility. He's not speaking from rumor or secondhand knowledge—he's testifying to what he experienced.

Then in verse 4:

And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full.

The Word of God is meant to give us joy. No matter the circumstances around us, when we hear God's Word, our spirits respond. Our spirits are meant to respond to the Word of God. If you call yourself a Christian and your spirit doesn't respond to God's Word, I encourage you to check your life.

God Is Light

In verse 5:

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, That God is light: and in him is no darkness at all.

Jesus taught John that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness—meaning no evil whatsoever. Evil is not found in God. God does not give evil. In John 10:10, Jesus Himself said:

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Whenever there is theft, killing, or destruction, it is never of God—it is always of the devil. God is pure light with no shadow of turning.

Walking in Darkness vs. Walking in Light

In verse 6:

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.

If you claim to have fellowship with God but still walk in darkness—still romance the ways of the world—you are lying. Here's why: when light comes into a dark room, darkness disappears. When you truly come to God, when you have fellowship with Him, because God is light, the darkness in your life must disappear. If darkness still remains, it's proof that you don't have true fellowship with God.

But in verse 7, there's hope:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

When we walk in the light, when we don't forsake the gathering of believers, when we listen to God's Word and fellowship together—we are cleansed. The blood of Jesus continuously cleanses us from all sin. Many people come to church or to God's presence feeling guilty, afraid that God is recording their sins and monitoring them. But I want to tell you: the best place to find yourself when you are in sin is in the house of God, among believers. That's where you can be cleansed.

The Distinction Between Sin Types

What Is True Repentance?

Before we go further, let's understand what repentance means. Repentance is not just confession—it is change. It means turning around.

The original sin—the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden—is what gave birth to all the wrong-doing we see today: stealing, lying, adultery, fornication, murder. That original sin corrupted the entire world. That is precisely what Jesus Christ came to destroy. When you give your life to Christ, that original sin is destroyed in you, and automatically you become a child of God.

Confessing Specific Sins

In 1 John 1:8-9:

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Notice: John is speaking to believers, not unbelievers. He's saying that if we, as Christians, claim to have no sin, we deceive ourselves. But when we confess our sins—the specific transgressions and mistakes we make—He is faithful and just to forgive us.

This seems to contradict "he that is born of God cannot sin." But it doesn't. Let me show you why.

Understanding What It Means to Be Born Again

The Three Parts of Man

Jesus clarified this in John 3:6:

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Here's the key: man is made of three parts—spirit, soul, and body.

When we give our lives to Christ, it is our spirit that is born again, not our body or soul. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.

Your spirit becomes new. Your old, Adamic spirit dies, and God gives you a righteous spirit. In verse 21 of the same chapter:

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Your spirit is now formed in righteousness.

What Still Needs Transformation

Your mind is not automatically born again. This is why Romans 12:2 says:

Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Your mind must be renewed by the Word of God. This is an ongoing process.

Your body remains physical and can suffer pain, sickness, and brokenness. But one day, when we see Jesus, we shall be transformed entirely. We shall have glorified bodies that cannot be affected by disease or pain.

Why Can the Flesh Still Sin?

The flesh tends toward sin because of the sinful nature of the world. It is easier to learn evil than good, easier to get sick than to stay healthy, easier for evil to happen than for good.

But here's the distinction: your spirit cannot sin. Your spirit has been sealed by the Holy Spirit. Your spirit is righteous and pure. It is your mind and body that can commit sin—through actions and even through thoughts.

Jesus taught that sin is not merely an outward act. In Matthew 5:28, He said:

Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

There is sin of commission (doing what you shouldn't), sin of omission (not doing what you should), and sin of the mind (thoughts that are contrary to God).

The Resolution: How These Passages Work Together

Your Spirit Cannot Sin

So when 1 John 3:9 says "whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin," it is speaking of your reborn spirit. Your spirit, which has been born of God, cannot sin. It is sealed by the Holy Ghost. It is pure, holy, and righteous.

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

But your mind and body can stumble. Your flesh can fall. This is why we need to study the Word of God, listen to messages, and fellowship with other believers—to renew our minds and bring our bodies into submission.

God's Provision for Our Stumbling

Don't despair when you fail. In Proverbs 24:16:

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.

Even when you make mistakes, don't declare yourself finished. God has made provision. You have an advocate—Jesus Christ Himself—who is making intercession for us.

Here's the liberating truth: God is not keeping record of your sins if you are in Christ. God is not judging any believer for hellfire as long as you have given your life to Christ. In John 3:16-17:

God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

The world is already condemned. Jesus came not to condemn but to save. He has already destroyed the power of sin over you. When you give your life to Christ, sin no longer has dominion over you, even when you stumble.

He has forgiven your past, your present, and your future. You don't need to focus on sin—focus on worshiping Him. Focus on God.

The Call to Purity and Transformation

Purify Yourself

In 1 John 3:3:

Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Because you are already the son or daughter of God, begin now to walk in the light. Strive toward the mark of your calling. Study the Word of God and begin to live the way God wants you to live. It's time to practice now, in this life.

Your body can be saved by discipline. Your mind can be saved by renewing it with God's Word. One day, your body will put on a new garment—a glorified body like Christ's, sparkling and glorious, where no disease or sickness can touch it.

The Purpose of Christ's Manifestation

In 1 John 3:8:

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. That is our mission too. When we understand that our spirit is sealed in righteousness, we can walk in victory and authority over sin, not by our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Ghost within us.

The Altar Call

If you have not yet given your life to Christ, this is your perfect opportunity. You don't need to clean yourself up first. You don't need to do good things to earn God's favor. What you need is to change your mind and say, "God, I know I can't help myself. You alone can help me."

You are in sin, and there is no way to bring yourself out by your own effort. Only Jesus can clean you. Accept Him into your heart and into your life. His light will shine into that dark place in your heart, and everything will become light.

A Prayer for New Believers

If you want to give your life to Christ, you can pray with me:

Lord Jesus, I come before you today as a sinner. I've heard your word today. I repent of my sin. I want to be your son. Forgive me. Be the Lord and Savior of my life. I will not return back to my sin. Take me as your son. I receive you. Be in charge. In Jesus' name, I've prayed. Amen.

If you've just prayed that prayer, you are now a born-again child of God. Your spirit has been sealed by the Holy Ghost. Start reading the Bible. Go to a church close to you and tell the pastor how you became born again. If you can reach me, send me a message—I will get to you. I'm fully in for the kingdom of God, and I'm happy to help disciple you.

Final Prayer

To everyone listening, I pray that the Word of God be made manifest in your heart. May the Word of God shine its light into your hearts. Let every darkness in your hearts be released by the power and light of God. I pray for truth to shine in your hearts. I pray for God to give you revelation and wisdom—that when you study and hear the Word of God, you can divide it rightly.

Be blessed this new week. I pray that God goes before you. Let your going out and your coming in be blessed. Let every day of this week answer to you. In Jesus' name, amen.

I'll see you next time. God bless you.