No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
1 John 3:6 NIV
This verse contrasts the true believer from one who has never been born again. Also, it tells us the secret to living a sinless Christian life is by abiding in Jesus Christ. This is another significant truth we must learn concerning our union with Christ. We cannot continue to live in Christ while He also dwelling in us and at the same time continue to live in sin. To say that there is no sin in Christ means that He never commits sin. Likewise, it also means that no one can ever bring in sin into his union with Christ. For anyone to sin, he would have to go outside of the union.
You know that He appeared in visible form and became Man to take away [upon Himself] sins, and in Him there is no sin [essentially and forever]. No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him—deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him].
1 John 3:5-6 AMPC
We can say that a true believer who lives and remains in communion with Christ does not continue in sin. However, this does not mean that when a Christian sins, he loses his salvation. Instead, it indicates that deliberate and habitual sinning is evidence that a person has never been truly born again or saved. Therefore, someone who is found guilty of persistent sin can potentially lose their salvation.
So, the question here is this: “When does sinning become habitual? How often does a person have to commit sin for it to become characteristic behaviour?” While this passage does not really give us a direct answer, it does call every believer to be on guard. This scripture invites us to reflect on our lives. At least we can identify when we are no longer abiding in Christ.
Similarly, in the light of 1 John 3:9, we realise that the new life of Christ in a believer does not and cannot commit sin. Therefore, for a believer to commit sin is to invite the old nature into the scene. But with a deliberate and constant decision to remain in our union with Christ, we sever the possibility of sinning.
No one who is born of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, because God’s seed [His principle of life, the essence of His righteous character] remains [permanently] in him [who is born again—who is reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose]; and he [who is born again] cannot habitually [live a life characterized by] sin, because he is born of God and longs to please Him.
1 John 3:9 AMP
