Pastor Lowell Nelson teaches about 1 John 3:7-10 "The Proofs of Righteous Living" on 12/27/2009 for our Sunday service.
1 John 3
7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
Pastor Lowell begins by warning: "Little children, let no one deceive you." He makes a critical distinction: "He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning." This isn't about isolated acts of sin (for which believers have an advocate and forgiveness through Christ's blood), but about a constant lifestyle or practice of sin. If one continually practices sin without conviction or desire for change, it reflects the character of the enemy, whose original sin was pride and a desire to usurp God's authority.
The sermon powerfully declares the purpose of Christ's manifestation: "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). Jesus came to undo the pride and self-will that characterize the enemy's nature and often manifest in our lives.
A pivotal point is the statement: "Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:9). Pastor Lowell clarifies that this means a true believer, indwelt by the Holy Spirit (God's "seed"), cannot continue in a lifestyle of habitual, unrepentant sin. When we are abiding in Christ, loving and serving Him, we are not thinking about or engaging in sin. When we stray, the Spirit brings conviction, leading to confession and repentance, not continued compromise. This process reflects our growth from "babes in Christ" to "young men" and "fathers" in the faith.
The ultimate "proof" of being a child of God or a child of the devil is revealed in our actions: "Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother" (1 John 3:10). Love for one another, as defined in 1 Corinthians 13 and demonstrated by Christ, is presented as the encapsulating essence of righteousness. Pastor Lowell encourages believers to examine their hearts, like the wheat and tares, not to judge others, but to ensure their own lives are bearing much fruit, reflecting God's character and love.
This message challenges the Calvary Chapel Milwaukee body to guard against self-deception, surrender to God's authority, and allow His Spirit to empower a life of righteousness and sacrificial love, thereby confirming their joy and confidence in eternal life.
