1 John 3:9 9Everyone who has been born of God does not do sin, because God’s seed remains in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.

This verse needs to be interpreted carefully within the context and flow of John’s thought in this section. Sin and the new life in Christ are incompatible. Sin should not be part of the life of a follower of Jesus. A person is made new both instantaneously and gradually. This verse hints at the tension between these. We should not continue in sin after being born again because we have the Son—the Way, Truth, Life, and Light—with us through the Holy Spirit. The link between abiding in the Son and the Son abiding in us (see John 15) is linked to our response of faith and obedience.

The reason we can live free from sin is because of God’s seed dwelling within us. The identity of God’s seed is stated. This verse recalls Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, particularly as Jesus talked about being born again by the Holy Spirit (3:5-8). We are born again through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit within us, renewing our dead spirits and changing us precept upon precept, choice by choice, day by day. We have a new identity and a new power source to overcome the problem of sin. Walking in faith and obedience to the commands of Christ will begin to transform us from the deepest part of our being, and our worldview, values, and behaviors begin to change to conform more to his image.

The last part of this verse is more of the challenge unless it is read within the theological context of this letter. John already made it clear in 1:8 that everyone sins. However, believers in Jesus stop the habit and intentionality of sinning. Sin becomes less and less a part of a person’s life. The verb and infinitive construction able to sin (dynatai hamartanein) has an imperatival force. The last part of this verse could be paraphrased to catch John’s nuanced argument: a follower of Jesus has been born again and does not have to sin and should not sin anymore. Someone walking with the Lord Jesus and in a deep relationship with him should not be committing sin because he or she is now following the guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit.

The important thing to remember on this journey of faith is that we do not do this alone. We cannot walk in the light of Jesus without his help. His help is available to those who seek it. Being a child of God and still living in the darkness of sin are contradictory. There is no reason to walk in darkness if the light is within us. John is essentially saying what is found in other parts of the Bible: become who you are! We are children of God. His light is in us. The Light of the world is changing us. Therefore, let us be obedient and open to what the Triune God wants to do in our lives.