Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

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1 John 3:3-5: Instructional Contrasts

I John 3:3-5: And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. [1]

 In this passage, John highlights the differences between “righteousness” and ungodliness. [2] The standard for righteousness in verse 3 is becoming like Christ, not to earn salvation, but as an evidence of it. [3] Verse 4 explains when the elect sin they live as rebels of God’s holy law. [4] Again, remember neither John, nor anywhere in Scripture, demands human perfection. [5] However, true Christians will confess their sin and run to their Father for forgiveness and assistance in repentance. [6] Mercifully, verse 5 reinforces that Jesus Christ is the Messiah God promised to remove sin. [7] In Christ, believers can kill sin by the power and help of His Holy Spirit, and their doing so evidences the new life Jesus has earned for them. [8]

 Here there are two reactions we need to avoid: undeserved comfort or shame. Some of us can be tempted to abuse Christ’s grace, when it should lead us to repentance. [9] Others hear a call for holiness and feel condemned, missing the truth of the Triune God’s redemptive love. [10] Pray that the Holy Spirit helps you see the truth in 1 John and rightly apply it to your maturing heart.


This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Jn 3:3–5). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

[2] Simon J. Kistemaker. New Testament Commentary: Exposition of the Epistle of James and the Epistles of John. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1986), 298.

[3] Kistemaker, Exposition of the Epistle of James and the Epistles of John, 296.

[4] Kistemaker, Exposition of the Epistle of James and the Epistles of John, 297.

[5] Kistemaker, Exposition of the Epistle of James and the Epistles of John, 297.

[6] Kistemaker, Exposition of the Epistle of James and the Epistles of John, 297.

[7] Kistemaker, Exposition of the Epistle of James and the Epistles of John, 298.

[8] Kistemaker, Exposition of the Epistle of James and the Epistles of John, 298-299.

[9] Romans 2:4.

[10] Isaiah 42:3, Matthew 12:20.