God's seed

1 John 3:⁹ No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.

John lays it out, pure and simple. You can tell who is of God by their acts. If someone keeps sinning, then that person is obviously not of God, no matter what that person calls himself or herself. God's seed abides in us when we are truly born again. If we haven't received God's seed, then we will keep on sinning because we have no power over sin on our own.

This is good and bad news to me. Good news in that I know that I am saved. I know that God's seed is in me. I do however, need to make sure that I remain as good soil. I need to constantly clear away the thorns and weeds that try to choke out God's seed. I constantly need to repent so that I keep renewing my mind and my heart. This is bad news also in that there are several people that come to mind when I think of those who say they are Christians but the evidence of willful sin in their lives testifies against them. I think it's pretty accurate to say that once you truly give your life over to Christ, you cannot be the same. God will not fail at the work He has started in you; it must be completed. I'm very encouraged by this scripture but also motivated to share the message of true salvation with those who think they are already saved. I think I was this kind of a Christian for a long time. I don't doubt, however, that God was completing a work He started in me. I do know, that I thought I was a Christian, but I was still willfully living in sin and turning to God only for the benefits and blessings. It is only by God's grace that I have come to know Him in a true and intimate way. There is no way that I could have discovered God's awesome message of salvation on my own. Truly, it is all in His planning. Does this mean that I shouldn't try to share the gospel with others because God has already predestined who will and will not receive His revelation? No way! I should share all the more because I am testifying to the truth and that truth does not return void to God.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace in my life. Lord, I'm sorry that for so many years I willfully sinned and in the process tainted Your name to some people. I said I was a Christian, but only recently, do I realize the cost of following Christ. Lord, I repent and I ask that You continue to grow Your seed within me. Lord, may Your love overflow from me. Give me courage and boldness to proclaim the gospel to everyone I meet. Lord, help me to guide my father, brother, and friends to true salvation. I love You, Lord. May Your Holy Spirit accomplish all that it has begun within me. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.