Read 1 John 3:7-10 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
1. What opposites are described in these verses?
2. What did the Son of God come to do?
3. Why do people in God’s family not make a practice of sinning?
Reflect
In today’s verses, John describes our actions as children of God. These aren’t things we do to be accepted into His family. We’re saved solely through faith in Jesus. These actions are an outpouring of our gratitude and position within God’s family. They’re a response, a process of refining as we grow more and more like Jesus.
Another translation of verse 9 says, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them…” (NIV, emphasis added). This is the process of sanctification, which means we grow like a seed, little by little. The more the seed grows, the less room there is to sin. The more fruit the Holy Spirit bears within us, the less sin can grow.
This can only happen in God’s presence. It doesn’t mean we don’t sin or struggle with sin. It means we don’t make a practice of it or look for ways to justify it. When we follow Jesus and spend time in His presence, our actions change. Little by little, we grow. Little by little, we make more room for His life within us.
Respond
• Are there any areas where you’re willfully sinning or looking for ways to justify sin in your life? What is God asking you to do in this area?
• Do you tend to take an all-or-nothing approach to growth, thinking that if you can’t jump straight to perfection, it’s not worth it? Practically speaking, what could “little by little” growth look like in your daily life?
• Do you have anyone in your corner looking out for you and encouraging you to grow? What step could you take to have this type of community? (Traders Point groups are a great place to start. Learn more at tpcc.org/groups.)
Pray through these questions, and write down what God is prompting you to do next. Share with a friend, and take a step to apply it.