MISAPPLIED PASSAGES -- # 3

Introduction:
   1. This is the third in a series of lessons entitled
      "Misapplied Passages."
   2. First lesson: Heb. 13:8--Jesus the same yesterday, etc.
   3. Last week: Jn 3:8-- Born again, water and spirit.
   4. Tonight -- 2 John 3:9.
   5. Remember, passages cannot contradict each other. If we think
      we have found a contradiction, we have misunderstood one or
      perhaps both.

  I. 1 JOHN 3:9:
     1. Some would make this passage teach that a child of God
        CANNOT COMMIT SIN.
     2. Thus, the impossibility of apostasy. Once a child of God,
        always a child of God.
     3. A few weeks back I presented three lessons over the radio
        station entitles, "Can a child of God fall from grace?" In
        the first lesson I quoted a Mr. Sam Morris, a Baptist
        preacher in Stanford, Tx., a few years ago, from an article
        he wrote entitled, "Do a Christian's sins damn his soul?"
        He states, "We take the position that a Christian's sins do
        not damn his sol.  The way a Christian lives, what he says,
        his character, his conduct, or his attitude toward other
        people have nothing whatever to do with the salvation of
        his soul. All the sins he may commit from murder to
        idolatry will not make his soul in any more danger."
     4. I also quoted a Baptist preacher from Louisville, Ky, a Mr.
        Bill Foster, who said, "If I killed my wife and mother and
        debauched a thousand women I couldn't go to Hell---in fact,
        I couldn't go to hell if I wanted to."
     5. These are but two men who teach Calvinism and the
        impossibility of apostasy.
     6. Often a misuse or misapplication of 1 John 3:9, is made to
        justify their position.

 II. WHAT IS JOHN DISCUSSING?
     1. The whole epistle develops the need of consistency, keeping
        oneself in the truth and light of God's Word.
     2. I have pointed out so often the use of "ETH" words. But,
        this is so vital to understanding the passage.
     3. "cleanseth" (1:7); "doeth" (3:7); "purifieth" (3:3);
        "abideth" (3:6); "sinneth" (3:6); "keepeth" (2:4);
        "denieth" (2:23); and many more.
     4. All of these convey the idea of continuing in a chosen
        path. Not vacillating. Not on and off. Not hot and cold.
     5. Note the verse we began with, 3:9: "Whosoever is begotten
        of God doeth (does not continue) no sin, because his seed
        abideth (continues) in him: and he cannot sin, because he
        is begotten of God."
     6. Being the child of God does not give one the right to
        commit sin. Note Paul's statement in Romans 6:1,2.
        (a) One cannot continue in sin in order to receive more of
            God's grace.
        (b) Gal. 5:13, Use not your freedom for an occasion to the
            flesh. I cannot say, "Well, I'm a child of God, and He
            will forgive me, so I will commit sin."

III. NOTICE A CONTRADICTION:
     1. To make 3:9 teach "we cannot sin," or it is impossible to
        sin, makes one contradict l:8, where John says, "If we say
        we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not
        in us."
     2. And, as stated, truth does not contradict itself.
        Evidently, the one so teaching has misapplied one of the
        passages.

 IV. AN ILLUSTRATION:
     1. When walking down the street, an old acquaintance
        approaches with an invitation. "Let's go have a bottle of
        beer." To which I answer, "I cannot do that." Do I mean it
        is impossible to have the bottle of beer? No, it is
        physically possible. But, I cannot have it and expect to
        receive God's blessing. I cannot drink it and continue to
        walk in the light. I cannot drink it and continue to
        "abide" in Christ.
     2. So, 3:9, One begotten of God does not walk in sin, does not
        continue in sin, the seed abides in him or her and we say
        "I cannot do that."

  V. NOTE THE DIFFERENCE:
     1. Child of God cannot sin so as to the lost
     2. Child of God should not sin.
     3. But, when he does, by confessing that sin, there is
        forgiveness. (1:9).

 VI. JOHN 10:28:
     1. Another verse that is often pulled from its context and
        made to teach the impossibility apostasy is, John 10:28.
     2. It is made to say, "a child of God is secure in the hand of
        God, cannot fall away."
     3. NOTE:
        (a) My sheep HEAR my voice,
        (b) I KNOW them,
        (c) They FOLLOW Me,
        (d) Eternal life.
     4. No one can force another to stop loving God. They may
        imprison, they may persecute, they may hinder your worship,
        but they cannot force you out of God's Hand. That is my
        decision only.

VII. PASSAGES WHICH SHOW THE POSSIBILITY OF APOSTASY:
     1. 1 Cor 9:27 -- Paul could be rejected, castaway.
     2. 1 Cor. 10:12 -- he that thinketh he standeth, take heed
     3. Gal. 5:4 -- fallen from grace
     4. 2 Pet. 2:20,21 -- again entangled...overcome.
     5. Rev. 2:10 -- be thou faithful unto death
     6. Jas. 5:19,20 -- saved a soul from death.
     7. 2 Pet. 1:5-11 -- shall never stumble.
     8. 21 Epistles written to Christians -- WHY?

Concl: Must become child of God to continue faithful.

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