THE PRACTICE OF SINNING

“Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.”  1 John 3:9-10

          There is a clear distinction here and it lies in the phrase ‘do not make a practice of sinning’. Those who make a practice of living a sinful, ungodly life are not Christians regardless of what they may think of themselves or say to others.  As believers we will sin from time to time because although we are forgiven and live under God’s umbrella of grace, we are still human.  We are fault filled and struggle not to be selfish and self-absorbed just like the world.  Living for the Lord can be a daily grind at times, but that’s only because we strain at the leash so often.  God wants us to have all the blessings He has planned for us; however, obedience must precede the blessing. 

          We are not to judge others, that is God’s responsibility.  But nowhere in scripture does it say we shouldn’t be ‘fruit inspectors’.  That is precisely what these verses a telling us.  If we see someone professing to be a Christian, yet they continue to sin as a lifestyle, it stands to reason that they are not what they profess to be.  No one can mock God.  Oh, some folks do; however, scripture speaks on that as well.  “Don't be misled--you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”  Galatians 6:7 NLT    Those who make fun of God directly or by making a mockery of Christianity as a whole will be dealt with by God Himself if they refuse to repent.

          Live righteously and love others as Christ loves you and died for you.  See others thru the eyes of God.  Treat others the way you wish to be treated, regardless of how they reciprocate.  Live for God.  It’s why you were born.  This is your main purpose in life, to live a godly life as His representative in this dying world.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!