It is certain that no one is
saved, who habitually practices any known sin. Since we presently
have no access to the Book of Life, we cannot judge of any
particular person's salvation, except by his works. Hence it
is clear that whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, and
whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God. Therefore, if
we are living in the willful commission of any one sin, or
habitual neglect of any one duty, then we have no ground whatever
to imagine that we are of the number of gods elect. To suppose,
therefore, that a work of grace has been begun in us, while our
daily experience proves that we are the willing slaves of
sin and Satan, is only to deceive our own souls, and to surrender
up ourselves as an easy prey into the hands of the devil,
our great adversary. 1 John 3 verses 7-10. Little children, let no one deceive
you. Whoever practices righteousness
is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning
is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the
devil. 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. By this it is evident who are
the children of God, and who are the children of the devil.
Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one
who does not love his brother. It is certain that no one is
saved who habitually practices any known sin.