1 John 3:9 says, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” But in the same epistle, John says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Is there an illogicality? Are Christians without sin, or are they still in sin?

– Bipin, India

DR. GEORGY’S RESPONSE:

The problem is resolved when understands the tense structure in the original Greek language. In 1 John 3:9, the “does not sin” part is in the present continuous tense and should be rightly translated, “Whoever is born of God does not continue to sin” or, “Whoever is born of God does not continue to practise sin.” In other words, if a person is in the habit of practising sin without qualms, then he is not born of God. In James 2:14-26, James affirms that genuine faith will produce good works. If a pig falls into mud, it does not mind staying there. But if a lamb falls into it, it will want to get out. A Christian and a non-Christian can commit the same sin. What John teaches is that, the genuine Christian cannot continue to sin again and again and feel comfortable about it. John is in no way saying that believers are without sin or never commit sin.  Whoever is genuinely a child of God cannot continue in a sinful lifestyle.