The DNA of God's Love

Introduction

1 John 3:4–5 KJV 1900

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

1 John 3:6–7 KJV 1900

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

1 John 3:8–9 KJV 1900

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 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 John 3:10 KJV 1900

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

This passage is one that has often been misunderstood and misrepresented. It is a passage of Scripture that has been applied to teach two false doctrines. One such doctrine is that one must work for their Salvation. As you see in this passage it speaks a lot about sin and how sin affects our lives it causes us to wonder if we are truly saved if we apply this passage so rigidly as those that would promote this doctrine of work salvation.

The second doctrine that is taught from this passage that should be rejected is the idea of sinless perfection. They would point to verses such as verse 6 that states, “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not…” They will run with this verse and show that someone that commits sin does not abide in Christ.

Both of these doctrines are false and the reason we know that they are false is because of the context in which they are written. When you examine the context you understand the original intent of the author was not to promote either of these thoughts and, in fact, salvation was not the primary focus of the passage.

In Chapter 3 John continues his exposing of the false doctrine being promoted by a group called Gnostics that stated that what you do in the flesh does not affect your relationship or fellowship with God because all that is done in the flesh is corrupt and only that which is of the spirit is righteous. Due to this teaching they also came to reject the idea that the Messiah had come to us in human form, thus denying the deity of Jesus Christ.

Knowing this we understand more closely the intent of John’s writing in this chapter. It was not to establish salvation, but to present the two opposing sides and their attributes.

This morning we spoke about the effect that God’s love has on our lives and this evening I want to bring you a message entitled, “The DNA of God’s Love”. This morning we said that God’s love provides adoption, transformation, and hope. We also said that it produces purity. John starts this chapter with talking about he manner of Love that God has for us.

He moved from verse 3 into a description of two opposing sides. He presents what is evident in the life of someone that is a partaker of God’s love. In other words, the love of God is in this person. He also describes what is evident in the life of someone that is not a child of God, that is not a part of God’s family, and that is actually a child of the devil.

Essentially that which makes up one that is a part of the of the family of God exhibits the DNA of God’s love, that is, someone that is a part of the family of God contains certain characteristics only produced by God’s love. They are distinct just like DNA is distinct only to a particular person. The DNA of God’s love is only exhibited by one that has the love of God in them.

When we study the passage intently the message become extremely clear.

In the same way that there is a “DNA of God’s Love” there is a “DNA of Satan’s Opposition”. John presents them both to us in this passage to help us between the two.

John presents them both to us in this passage to help us between the two.

When we study the passage intently the message become extremely clear. The DNA of God’s love is righteousness. The DNA for Satan’s Opposition is sin.

So, this sets up the dilemma we previously presented concerning work salvation and sinless perfection. If indeed on that has the love of God is exhibits righteousness and does not sin as verse 6 and verse 9 indicate then we must either espouse that one that has the love of God does not sin or that one that has the love of God does works of righteousness to obtain that love.

Neither are true, however. Once again either of these doctrinal stands would set up a disqualification of John’s Epistle for admission into Scripture for it is contradictory. In Chapter One John says we are liars if we say we do not sin and that we should confess it. In chapter two he says that we show our love by obeying, not that we are saved by our obedience. So, if we embrace either of the false doctrines taught from this passage we would read teachings from John that we cannot sin and be saved. This would be a complete contradiction to his earlier writing and since there is no contradictions in Scripture then we must reject these false doctrines and examine the Scripture further.

This confusion is completely removed when we define sin as it relates to this passage of Scripture.

Defining Sin

So let us look at John’s presentation of sin to help us understand what he is talking about.

General Definition

In verse four he says, “Whosoever” which is inclusive of every person. He says, “Whosoever, committeth sin transgresseth the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

In verse four he says, “Whosoever” which is inclusive of every person. He says, “Whosoever, committeth sin transgresseth the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

John gives us a general description of sin. It is an act that falls short of God’s standard. The definitive definition means, “to miss the mark.”

This lays the groundwork for John to be more specific, but the general definition is to miss the mark

Specific Definition

In the verses that follow verse 4 we get a more specific picture of how John intends to define sin in this passage.

Verse six would seem to indicate if you sin then you do not know Christ. Verse seven indicates that only people that are righteous can be saved. Verse 8 states that anyone that commits sin is of the devil.

What is John trying to say? If these are left at face value no one is saved, no one has the love of God, no one is a part of the family of God, and everyone is of the devil.

When we understand that John is combatting those that say it does not matter how you live and nothing you do in the flesh affects your relationship with Christ then we get more of a sense of what John is referencing when he talks about sin.

He is giving us a comparative understanding. The people that have the love of God live righteously and the ones that do not have the love of God live in sin.

In other words, what is your DNA made of? Is your DNA made up of the love of God? or is your DNA mad up of Satan’s opposition? What is your DNA made of?

Here is what John was teaching about sin: if your life is a defined, controlled, and characterized by sin then you are of the devil and the love of God is not in you. If your life is defined by, controlled, and characterized by righteousness then God’s love is in your DNA. You are born of God and your life is defined by someone that is in pursuit of righteousness. This does not mean you do not sin; you do. It does not mean that you won’t mess up; you will. John is talking about continual, habitual, and intentional sin that you pursue and that sin is the ruling principal in your life.

I like how D. Smith states it, “The believer may fall into sin but he will not walk in it.”

John is saying that if you are one of these people that think you can live however you want and you pursue sin and sin is a ruling principal in your life because you want it to be and you let it then you cannot be born of God and the DNA of God’s love does not flow through you.

In short, this passage is referring to two opposing sides; the family of God and the followers of Satan. The DNA of God’s love is righteousness and the DNA for Satan’s Opposition is sin.

With this in mind let us look at some truths that John presents here so that we can ensure the DNA of God’s love flows in us.

I. Christ came in the flesh to take away our sin.

Verse 5, 8

John makes it very clear that Christ came to live among us to take away our sin and to destroy it from our lives. Christ came to save us from our sins. To teach that we can live however we want is to deny the very reason for Christ coming into this world.

I am sure glad that God came to wash my sins away. I am glad that Jesus came to take sin from my life and give me the power to over sin. I am glad that I do not have to live in sin. I am glad Christ came and died on the cross to save me from my sin.

II.

II. Christ is the means by which we forsake sin.

Verse 6, 9

We can overcome sin because of the power that we possess in Christ. It is evident that a child of God possesses the necessary means to eliminate sin from their lives. This does not mean we will be sinless, but it does mean that the pattern of sin that we followed before me were born of God can be overcome by the power of God through his Son, Jesus Christ.

III. Christ is the standard for the way we live.

Verse 7

He is righteous. We are to pattern our lives after him. If we look to Jesus Christ then we can establish what our lives ought to reflect. It is important that we make Christ the standard for our actions. If we look at what everyone else is doing then we may be led astray. If we look to Christ we will get a clear picture of our lives and what needs to improve.

Conclusion

1 John 3:10 KJV 1900

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

The final verse of our text is a summary of what John has taught us as well as an introduction to the next section of his epistle. He sums up by saying now you know what a child of God act like and you know what a child of the devil acts like. He ends this section by telling us what the DNA of God’s love really is; righteousness.

Does the DNA of God’s love flow through you? The best way to know if you are a child of God is to look at your life, be honest, and decide what is the ruling principal of your life. Is it sin? Is it righteousness? The answer to this question will tell you whether you are a child of God or a Child of the devil.

John also gives us a sound warning against believing that it only matters that we trusted Jesus and that our actions do not matter. They do. If our lives are not patterned after Jesus Christ and his righteousness then it calls into question our position as a child of God. Only you can determine this. No one should look at your life and say, “I don’t think he is saved.” But the Holy Spirit is either inside of you or he isn’t.

He also warns us that we should avoid the people who teach such false doctrines. This is the reason he wrote the epistle to teach the church the truth and warn them against the false doctrine. Don’t fall into the idea that it does not matter how you live. It does.

Does the DNA of God’s Love Flow Through You?