(Photo by Photoholic on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)
Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
In Lesson 84, we are going to study the first part 1 John 3:6.
Let’s read the verse.
1 John 3:6 No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning…
Let’s go over the definitions of the words.
No one (3956. pas) — means every person without exception.
Who (3588. ho, hé, to) remains (3306. menó) — Means the one who continues in, stays in, or abides in.
In (1722. en) Him (846. autos) — means in Christ or sharing in His life and remaining connected to Him.
Keeps on sinning (264. hamartanó) — Means to continue in sin, to practice sin, or to continually miss the mark through ongoing, unrepentant sin.
In other words, every person without exception who continues in, stays in, or abides in Christ does not continue to practice sin or live in ongoing, unrepentant sin.
Remaining in Jesus means you live in continual dependence on Him, walking in fellowship with Him, and growing in obedience to Him.
When you remain in Christ, you do not live in a pattern of ongoing, habitual sin. This does not mean you never sin, but that sin is no longer your settled way of life. “Keeps on sinning” refers to a continual lifestyle of sin, not occasional failures that are met with repentance.
As you abide in Christ, sin is no longer something you embrace or grow comfortable with. You may still stumble, but you will not stay in sin without conviction, confession, and turning back to God.
A life rooted in Christ will show real change over time. Sin becomes the exception, not the rule.
If you find yourself living in ongoing, unrepentant sin, that is a serious concern. The call is to turn to Jesus, confess your sin, and seek Him for cleansing and the strength to remain in Him.
Let’s review some verses that support and expand on the the teaching of the first part of 1 John 3:6, which says that “no one who remains in Him, keeps on sinning.”
In John 8:12, we learn that when you follow Jesus, you will not walk in darkness. Darkness refers to a life characterized by sin, spiritual blindness, and separation from God.
John 8:12 Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
In John 15:4-5, we learn that a transformed life comes from remaining in Christ, just as a branch remains in the vine. A branch receives its life and nourishment from the vine, and in the same way, believers receive their spiritual life and strength from Jesus. As you remain in Him, your life will bear spiritual fruit and reflect His character, and you will not continue in a pattern of sin. Apart from Him, you can do nothing.
John 15:4-5 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. 5 I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.
In Romans 6:1-2, we learn that when someone has died to sin, sin is no longer the master of their life. This is what happens you are united with Christ. Sin no longer rules over you. Because you have died to sin, you cannot continue living in it as a pattern of life, since you are no longer under its dominion.
Romans 6:1-2 What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?
In Galatians 5:16, we learn that when someone walks by the Spirit, they will not carry out the desires of the flesh. This means living in ongoing dependence on and being led by the Holy Spirit, which is part of remaining in Christ. As you abide in Christ, the Spirit works in you to resist sinful desires and produce a transformed life. This is how sinful desires are overcome, as you follow the Spirit rather than the flesh.
Galatians 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
In conclusion, when you remain in or abide in Christ, you will no longer continue in a pattern of ongoing sin. As a Christian, this does not mean you will never sin, but it does mean that the pattern of habitual sin will be broken. He gives you the power to resist sin and the grace to forgive you when you do sin. Commit your life to remain in Christ.
Here are some key takeaways from the cross references.
When you follow Jesus, the Light of the world, you will not walk in darkness, meaning your life will no longer be characterized by sin (John 8:12).
When you remain in Christ, you will bear spiritual fruit, seen in Christlike character (John 15:4-5).
When you remain in Christ, you have died to sin, and sin is no longer the master of your life (Romans 6:1-2).
When you walk by the Spirit, you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16).
Be encouraged, that when you remain in Christ, you are not left to overcome sin in your own strength. As you abide in Him and walk by the Spirit, He produces real transformation in your life, bearing spiritual fruit and breaking the pattern of sin.
Though you may still stumble at times, your life will no longer be defined by ongoing sin, because you are alive in Christ and empowered by His Spirit to walk in the light.
Here is a prayer to help you respond to today’s lesson:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth of Your Word and for the life we have in Christ. Help us to remain in Him, to walk by Your Spirit, and to live lives that reflect Your transforming power. When we stumble, lead us to repentance, strengthen us to resist sin, and continue shaping us into the image of Your Son. Amen.
Let’s read our verse, one more time.
1 John 3:6 No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning…
If you’ve been blessed by Hope Bible School, please share it with others.
Listen to these lessons over and over again.
Meditate on God’s Word throughout the day. Pray continually. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
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Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
