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The Sanctified Life
[transgresseth the law] hath not seen him, neither known him” (
1 John
3:4-6
). We are authorized to hold in the same estimation as did the
beloved disciple those who claim to abide in Christ, to be sanctified,
while living in transgression of God’s law. He met with just such a
class as we have to meet. He said, “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” (
verses 7, 8
). Here the apostle speaks in plain terms, as he
deemed the subject demanded.
The epistles of John breathe a spirit of love. But when he comes in
contact with that class who break the law of God and yet claim that
they are living without sin, he does not hesitate to warn them of their
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fearful deception. “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and
walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the
light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and
the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say
that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not
sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (
1 John 1:6-10
).
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