1 John 3:4-7

“No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him.” vs. 6

On the surface John seems to be talking out of both sides of his mouth. On the one hand he writes, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us,” and yet a few paragraphs later he tells us, “no one who sins has either seen him or known him.” What gives? How shall we understand these apparent contradictions? The answer, of course, is that both statements are true! This is another example of a paradox. Those early pastors and preachers who proclaimed a gospel of grace figured out in a hurry the message of “grace alone” would be abused and misunderstood by sinners. Such folks mistakenly believed that a message of love and forgiveness was a prescription for doing as they pleased. Fortunately leaders like Paul and John didn’t abandon grace and return to the law. They simply pointed out the truth. Sin is incompatible with the righteousness of God! So, as John puts it, anyone who sins doesn’t have a clue about who God is! Grace is intended to change us, and not make us content with being sinners! The words of absolution that we hear in our rituals of confession and forgiveness have power! We can actually become the persons God intends us to be! We sinners are actually made righteous! 

Thought for the Way: What signs of righteousness am I seeing in my life?