Last week we covered in detail the fact that as a child of God we cannot continue to practice habitual sin and attempt to justify it. The Word of God reveals sin for what it is and the Holy Spirit who dwells in us will bring conviction of that sin. If we are not convicted but rather continue to live in sin, then we are not born of God and we are not a new man as Paul speaks of in:

Ephesians 4:24 "And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness."

Colossians 3:10 "And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,"

We did see that there is a difference between a believer who stumbles into sin, is convicted and then repents, and the one who may call himself a believer but has no conviction and is unrepentant. Jesus sets us free from the bondage of sin and death, but we must abide in Him and hold to His word not wavering from His truth. 

This week John continues this thought of those who are God’s and those who are not. He also goes back to the command of loving one another and continuing to abide in Jesus.

Last week we saw that we are children and heirs of God which shines a clear light on the fact that this is a relationship not a religion. It is also clear that only through Jesus do we have access to the inheritance. 

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 

This statement doesn’t leave any room for misunderstanding. No other door is given, no other religion can make this claim. Jesus was the only one worthy to become the sacrificial lamb to take away the sin of the world, and then to sit at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf. His blood paid the price for us to be reconciled back to the Father, restoring the relationship with God that was broken when Adam fell in the garden.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

This is a hard truth for some, but if you believe what Jesus said, that He is the only way, and He is the Son of God, then all the other religions are lies and the father of lies is Satan. You cannot accept other religions as truth unless you are calling Jesus a liar. So all the other religions may coexist because they are all from Satan and they all lead you to the same place, but that place is not heaven.

Matthew 13:41-43

41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! 

Don’t be deceived! Jesus is the only way! This week, John tells us about the sin and the child of God.