1 John 3:6 (KJV) Does The Bible Really Teach That?

1 John 3:6 (KJV)

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

One of the most critical lessons a Bible student can learn about rightly dividing the Word of truth[1] is not to divide the Word of truth. The Bible is a whole truth. It is not bite-sized little bits of truth. Great damage and monumental heresies occur when we consign the Bible to “chapter and verse” proof texts.

Several illustrations of this are found within the pages of this little letter of First John. One of them is here.

The Bible clearly teaches that whoever sins has neither seen nor known Jesus. If we sin, after making a profession of faith, we are not really saved.

Or does it clearly teach that?

Consider 1 John 1:8 (KJV)
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

The Bible clearly teaches that we have deceived ourselves if we say we have no sin. The fact is, we rob ourselves of the blessing of being forgiven and cleansed through confession[2] if we fail to acknowledge our sins.

Someone might call this a contradiction in the Bible. It is not. It is the difference between sinning and abiding in sin.

Christian sin. We have a corrupt nature and a body of flesh. We are less than perfect in this world and will be until we arrive in heaven with our glorified bodies. But a Christian can never abide in sin. He can’t live in sin. If he is saved, the Spirit of God will not allow it.

• He will get under conviction
• He will be chastened, and if he refuses
• He will “sin unto death,”[3] and the Lord will take him out of this earth.

There are no contradictions in the Bible. But some passages could be construed as contradictory if they are divided. Rightly dividing the Word of truth doesn’t mean dividing it. It means rightly understanding it.[4]

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[1] 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

[2] 1 John 1:9 (KJV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

[3] 1 John 5:16 (KJV)
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

[4] A part of Thayer’s definition of the Greek word for dividing is, “1) to cut straight, to cut straight ways 1a) to proceed on straight paths, hold a straight course, equiv. to doing right 2) to make straight and smooth, to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly.”

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

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1 John 3:6 (KJV) Does The Bible Really Teach That?