1 John 3:6-10

In these verses the apostle is combating the error of those who sought to separate fellowship with God from a life of holiness; or who at least did not consider the inseparable connection of the two, and boasted that they had fellowship with God, while their lives were devoted to sinful lusts. Chapter 1 John 1:6; 1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:9. To sin then, or commit sin, must mean, in this connection, to lead a life of sin, to sin allowedly and habitually. This no true believer does. To be righteous as Christ is righteous is the aim of his life. His daily effort is to keep the whole law of God; and wherein he fails through the remaining corruption of his fallen nature, he confesses to God his guilt, asks His forgiveness, and addresses himself anew to the work of keeping His commandments, not in the letter only, but "in spirit and in truth." Abideth in him; is united to him by faith, and lives in fellowship with him. Men who live in the love and practice of known sin, secret or open, of omission or commission, of heart or of life, have no interest in Christ, and have never experienced his salvation.