How do you reconcile 1 John 1:10 with 1 John 3: 4 - 10

[jael07]

I would like to know your thoughts.
Jennifer

[Christine]

Good question, Jael!

We don't need to reconcile them. What we DO need to do is to recognize to whom these instructions are being written. The address will tell us what we need to know.

Since these passages are found in the section of scripture concerning the Jews and their NATIONAL program in AGES to COME (Hebrews thru Revelation) then it narrows down the audience and makes some sense of things. This is being spoken to the Nation Israel at a future time when God again is dealing with the KINGDOM PROGRAM. That program has to do with the law of Moses and the Jew does and WILL understand the concepts involved.

I hope this helps.


In contrast, in this PRESENT dispensation of GRACE, the sin issue is a DONE DEAL. God is not dealing with folks on the basis of the LAW nor on the basis of their SINS, but on the basis of their BELIEF and trust in the SINLESS SON OF GOD.

Galatians 2:20 is the battle cry of those saved under GRACE....yeeee haw!

"For I am crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives IN ME, and the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faithfulness of the Son of God , who loved me and gave Himself for me"

[BOC560]

  ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

  ⁴  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.     
And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
   Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
   He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
   Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
  ¹⁰  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

These scriptures are dealing with future Israel, after the church of the Body of Christ has been taken up.  At that time, God resumes the covenant program and Israel as they enter into the Time of Jacob’s Troubles (the Great Tribulation).  It is the same “IF / THEN / ELSE” covenant that was established with the seed of Abraham in Leviticus.

As a contrast, in this Age of Grace we are freed from the Law and made fully righteous and justified in Him.  When you see people who are obsessed with sin you can immediately see they are still attempting to place themselves into Israel’s covenant.  One church here in our town has a slogan painted on big letters across the end of their building; “YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT”.  It isn’t difficult to see these people have not learned the Good News, that their sins were forgiven at the cross and that Jesus was raised from the dead as proof that His sacrifice was acceptable.

Those who are ‘in Him’ are as righteous and as justified as the Righteous One.  God does not see sinful man when he looks at us, but sees only His righteousness, fully and completely.  Nothing will improve this attribute that He has created in you. 

Asking to be forgiven is only a statement of unbelief, that you REALLY don’t believe Him.  You have been made righteous and fully justified.  (Without faith, it is impossible to please God.)   Rather than ask Him to give you what He has already given you, it is appropriate to say, “Thank you Lord, for having forgiven me and for your righteousness and justification.  By this, we are agreeing with Him in faith.

BOC560, Johnny