We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning

1 John 5:18-19 ESV

18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.

            Are we born of God? If we are truly born of God, what John tells us is that we will not keep on sinning. Why? The reason is that the Spirit of God lives within us. Salvation is not an emotional response to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Salvation is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and follower of Jesus Christ. We are not saved by our own power or by coming to an understanding of who Christ is on our own. We become children of God by His grace and by His power.

            The Greek word for sinning here is hamartanō, which means to sin. It is the most general and commonly used term for sin in the nt.[1] What John is referring to here is a lifestyle that actively lives in sin. It is someone who actively practices sin. For the child of God, this is impossible because the conviction of the Holy Spirit will not allow it. If we are truly disciples of Jesus Christ and are abiding in Him, we will be continually changed by the power and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

            When we are born of God, we are protected by Him. It is the Holy Spirit who seals us and dwells within us. Simply paying lip service to God or walking through the doors of a church does not save anyone. What truly saves a person is the grace and mercy of Almighty God. It is God who pursues, draws, convicts, and grants repentance. Our only role in this is to respond to His grace and mercy, which becomes overwhelming for the one being saved. Again, we do not come to understand that Christ saves us by our own power or wisdom. We are saved by the hand of God, and John even tells us that the evil one does not touch him. Satan and the kingdom of darkness can only do what God allows them to do. God is in control of all things and holds everything together by His mighty power.

19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

The world and its system are under the influence and dominion of the devil. The devil is the god of this age who has blinded the minds and hearts of people. Everything we find outside the Bible that claims to be a path to God or a way to heaven is simply based on a lie. But those who call Jesus Christ Lord and Savior are from God. They have been born of God, and the Spirit of God lives in them.

In Jesus Christ, we are no longer under the dominion of darkness or the power of the devil. We have been set free through the blood of Jesus Christ, which has washed away our sin and made perfect atonement. In Jesus Christ, our sin no longer remains, and our citizenship is in Heaven. Our Lord and Master is Jesus Christ, and as we abide and live for Him each day, we become more like Him.

Those who dwell in darkness are dominated by their sinful nature. They are led and guided by the desires of the flesh. However, those who are in Christ have been born of God. The nature of God resides in them because of the work and presence of the Holy Spirit. Throughout their lives, they are continually transformed by God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. We can walk in love because He lives in us. We can become the people He has created us to be due to His grace in our lives and the Holy Spirit living within us.

Prayer

Father, thank you today for our salvation. Thank you that we are chosen and called by you. You have pursued us, and you have opened our hearts. Thank you for sending Jesus and making it possible for us to be fully forgiven of our sins. Father, each day, continue to prune and remove from my life anything that would hinder your work or purpose in my life. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

[1] David J. Sigrist, “Sin,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).