The question is whether a Christian can sin. This idea comes from 1 Jn 3:9. 1 Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. Written by the same author is the two verses below. 1 Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Christians can and do sin. However, if they TRY, they can avoid sinning. 1 Jn 3:6 Whosoever ABIDES in him sins not: whosoever sins has not seen him, neither known him. This verse comes shortly before 1 Jn 3:9. Apostle John is exhorting his readers to ABIDE in Jesus. If a Christian is willing to be RESPONSIBLE and ABIDE in Jesus, then that person is able not to sin. This passage says nothing about Christians who does NOT ABIDE in Jesus. Another angle to understand 1 Jn 3:9 is to understand what "born of God" means. Often we think of Jn 3:16 when considering born-again topic. Jn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. A strong deception in the English-speaking world is the misunderstanding of the English word, believe. This is due to translations of Greek bible texts to English. Most of the time, including all salvation verses, believe is from the Greek word, pisteou. Pisteou is an active form of believe. This word has also been used as commit and trust. A Christian is to commit and trust Jesus as well as acknowledge Him. Jn 3:16 can be rewritten as Jn 3:16 modified For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever acknowledge, commit, and trust in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. A person truly born of God is one who commits to Jesus. In other words, that person ABIDES in Jesus. It is "Once Saved" + "Commitment to Jesus" = "Always Saved" where "Commitment to Jesus" means - having an active faith, - living a life of repentance, and - obeying the Lord. If a person COMMITS and ABIDES in Jesus, that person will not sin. ********** All scriptures are from the Updated King James Version bible which can found at http://www.geocities.com/updatedkjv/ . This translation is public domain, but the author requests that credit goes to this translation in the form of "I love Jesus (UKJV)". © Copyright 2018