Who's Child Are You?

Introduction

One sure way to know whether or not you are biologically connected to someone is to have a DNA test (parents, ancestors, etc).

While only God a the individual soul can truly validate one’s spiritual DNA, God has given us His word to help us evaluate the external. As John as been laying out for us, there is without question some external evidences that speaks to either real gospel conversion or living with a false assurance.

1) Children Of The Devil

A. They have a distinct standard ruling their life

(v4) “commiteth sin” (can be misleading)

Not speaking of the committing of a “single sin”

The Greek word denotes the doing of sin “as a practice.”

Root meaning of “sin” = failure; missing the mark

(v4) “transgression”

A better word = lawlessness (the spirit which prompts the act)

“lawlessness” = rebellion; a flagrant defiance of God

Listen, every one of your sins carries with it this character!

This practice is completely incompatible with birth from God.

These individuals have no touch of Jesus on their life.

B. They have a distinct heritage (v8)

John calls them “children of the devil”

The devil is described to have sinned from the beginning.

Described as never “seeing Him” nor “knowing Him.”

In other words, they have never experienced Him nor have they observed His person.

2:4

The power of breaking the bonds of sin is missing.

Quote: “If we do not have a belief that behaves, we probably do not have a “salvation” that saves” - John Phillips

2) Children Of God

A. You are born of God

John reminds us about the ministry of Jesus Christ:

To take away our sins / there is no sin in Him

to eliminate ⇔ take away v. — to terminate, end, take out, or even kill or murder; conceived of as taking up and away, and so out of sight (forever).

sin (personification) n. — sin personified as a destructive and depraved principle reigning over unbelievers and persisting in believers; especially as a slave-master doling out payment with the currency of death and decay.

Same word used when describing Jesus as having NO SIN in Him.

His sinlessness gives effectiveness to His redemptive work.

1 Peter 1:23 (KJV 1900) — 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

To destroy the works of the devil (v8)

Revelation 20:10 (KJV 1900) — 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

His day of destruction will soon come, but for now, God birthing you spiritually is His method of destroying Satan’s product.

As much as God’s works through people, so does the devil!

Quote: “As the Lord Jesus is the source and the force behind every righteous act of one of His own, so the Devil activates and energizes, through the power of fallen human nature and the inspiration and power of countless demon hordes, the sinful acts of saint and sinner alike.” - John Phillips

B. God’s seed abides in you

I would simply equate the word “seed” as Jesus’ life in you.

(v9) No one makes a practice of sinning because of Jesus’ living within.

Illustration: a plot of dirt can’t remain the same useless dirt after you place a LIVING SEED under the surface.

Romans 6:5 (KJV 1900) — 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Remember.....NO SIN IN HIM!

Sin has no authority over you because the ONE who knew NO sin lives within YOU!

(v7) John says, “don’t there is a great distinction between those who have Jesus and those who do not”

Those who fumble with the teaching of God’s grace (i.e. losing your salvation) needs to get ahold of this.

Romans 6:6–12 (KJV 1900) — 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Conclusion

You might be someone who is desiring this life of freedom from sin’s bondage and power over your life. Listen, this NEW LIFE comes by TRUSTING, not TRYING!