Who Do You Belong To?

1 John 3:9-10

“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. 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.”

In the context of this passage is revealed how a child of God and a child of the devil are distinguished. For one thing, the child of God does not continue to give himself to the practice of sin. The idea of “doth not” is present tense indicating the child of God does not “continue living a life of sin”, why? Because his seed (word) lives in him. The seed of the kingdom is the word of God Luke 8:11 “…Now the seed is the word of God.” The Psalmist said “Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee” Psalms 119:11. When one becomes a Christian he or she dies to sin Romans 6:3-7. Which means that the one who dies to sin no longer liver in sin Romans 6:1-2.

Secondly, a child of God does righteously. The one who does not do righteously is not of God. The implication clearly being that those born of God will do righteousness or live a live given to righteousness. “If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him” 1 John 2:29. “Little children, let no man deceiver you. He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.” 1 John 3:7. All the Lord’s commandments are righteous Psalms 119:172.Thus whatever the Lord commands under the covenant we are bound, to obey it is an act of righteousness.

Thirdly, a child of God loves his brethren. We are instructed to “honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the king” 1 Peter 2:17; 1 John 3:11. In 1 John 3:14 we are further instructed to love one another. John says, we know we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. It is a love that is sacrificial; “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.” Ones love for the brethren must not be in word only but indeed and in truth 1 John 3:18. A person would do well to study 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 to see how love conducts itself.

Herein are revealed three clear ways to identify children of God and children of the devil. One should examine himself regularly to determine to whom he belongs. How long has it been since you examined yourself?

Bill Cantrell