First John 3 and Sin

When we study sin, we often turn to First John 2:16, where we are told of the three “types” of sin: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride (or vainglory) of life. Sadly, for some, that’s the end of the discussion of sin this brief letter.

However, there is more in chapter 3. In fact, in verses 4-10, John gives 5 descriptions of sin and the consequences of it.

1. Sin is Lawlessness (verse 4). The verse is pretty explicit: “Sin is lawlessness.” The word we have for lawlessness means two similar things. It means either being without (or apart from) law, or having contempt for the law. When we fail to follow God’s laws, we are showing contempt for laws that, in actuality, protect us.

2. Sin is Failing to Follow the Example of Jesus (verse 5). John writes, “in Him there is no sin.” We are told many times that we are to be like Christ, and we are also told that Christ never sinned. When we sin, we fail to be like Christ.

3. Sin is Breaking Fellowship with God (verses 6 and 9). The verbs in these verses are speaking of failing to walk continually with God (cf. chapter 1). When we fail to live a life of righteousness, we break fellowship with God. Remember that Isaiah taught that your sins separate you from God (59:1-2), not God’s unfaithfulness.

4. Sin is Allowing Satan to be Your Master (verses 7-8). John tells us that, when we sin, we are “of the devil.” Jesus had earlier said that, when we lie, we are of our father the devil. Being “of” someone is following him. When we sin, we are not the master of our own fate; we are servants, in fact, slaves of Satan.

5. Sin is Breaking Fellowship with Other Christians (verse 10). John ended this verse with “nor the one who does not love his brother.” When I choose to sin, I am not loving my fellow Christians in the way I should. Additionally, the local congregation can choose to literally break fellowship with a habitual sinner through church discipline.

Sin is the world’s greatest problem. It is poison, but God provided the cure on the cross. Have you contacted the antidote?