Sin Is the Transgression of the Law (1 John 3:3-4)

2023-10-01

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (1 John 3:3-4)

There is a contrast between those who are born again and those who are not. The one who has hope in the Lord will purify himself. He will seek holiness and turn his life toward the Lord. That does not mean we are perfect, but we are moving in that direction. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). And again, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

On the contrary, if we are not born again, we do not give heed to any inner unction from the Spirit, for He is not there. There is “transgression of the law,” or literally, lawlessness. If we are lawless in practice with no evidence of purifying ourselves, there is something tremendously wrong.

Seek the Lord and call on His name. Get with other believers in a real local church. Forsake every fleeting element of this world. We must place our trust and hope in Christ alone and order our lives around Him, for that is why we are here.