Daily Devotion in I John 3

Daily Nugget:  
After one is saved, it is often questioned, “Am I really saved? How can I know for sure?” This chapter helps answer some of those questions and doubts.

• The first proof is “Whosoever abideth in him [Jesus] sinneth not…” (I John 3:6, 5:18). A normal reaction after reading that verse would be one of panic, “Oh, no, I have sinned since I have been saved. I must not be saved.” That is not what is addressed here.

  Throughout the New Testament, it has been established that even after we are saved, we can still sin (Romans 3:10, 23). In I John 2:1, Christians are commanded not to sin, but if they do, they have an advocate (a person who defends one’s case in a court of law) in Christ. Why would we need an advocate if we did not sin? There also is a long list of righteous men who sinned, including Moses, Lot, David, and Peter. The soul may be saved, but the flesh we were born with still sins if the Spirit does not control it.
  
  In I John 3:6, the word “sinneth” refers to a continuance in sin. It is implying a continuing practice of sinning. When one is saved, they may sin, but they do not want to. If they do, they feel miserable until they get it right with the Lord. The new ruling Spirit in their spiritual hearts does not want to sin. Sometimes the flesh lets that Spirit down, but a saved person will not desire to sin!

• One that is saved will want to keep God’s commandments (I John 3:24). It will trouble him if he does not. Those that think one can be saved and do whatever they want most likely have never experienced the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
• Another proof is that a child of God will love the new family he is adopted into. He will love His Christian brothers and sisters (I John 3:14).
• A compassionate heart (I John 3:17-19, 23) is another proof of one’s salvation. The indwelling Spirit of God attempts to take our minds off ourselves and put them on the needs and concerns of others. He gives us the desire to help others.
• A child of God can ask the Lord for help, and he will receive it (I John 3:22).

Salvation is not an “I think I am” or an “I hope so” experience. According to the scriptures, it is a know-so conviction in one’s heart (I John 3:19, 24, I John 5:13).

Today’s Thought: 
“If you want to be like the Father, follow the Son.”

Words to Understand:
Bestowed: given as a gift
Manifested: shown; make clear

Today’s Reading:
I John 3
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4 ¶ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 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.
9 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.
10 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.
11 ¶ For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14 ¶ We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 ¶ For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 ¶ And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.