Ques. 139. Why does it say in 1 John 3:99Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:9), he cannot sin, instead of it, the nature? B. B. Ans. It is the man that sins by allowing the old nature a place. John's epistle looks at the child of God as identified with the new life. He is not acting as a child of God if he allows the flesh to work in him. (1 John 2:11My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (1 John 2:1).) This is meant to exercise all our hearts.
Ques. 140. Does "keeping the book of the law" in Josh. 1:88This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8), and similar scriptures, correspond with our keeping the Lord's commandments and words in John 14:21, 2321He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21)
23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)? What is the difference between "commandments" and "words" for the Christian in this scripture? M. L. E.
Ans. Yes, it is the hearty, loving obedience to the Word of God. The soul delights in meditating therein day and night; making the way of the soul prosperous, and growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We might think of the commandments here (verse 21) as the will of the Lord expressed in the scriptures; and of the Word-not words-(verse 23), as the mind of God that we gather while in communion with the Lord, though not fully expressed. Mary anointed the Lord for the day of His burying. The Lord expressed His approval of it afterward.
Ans. Read from verse 25. This context tells of our Lord's perfect submission to the Father's will; then He reveals the Father (verse 27), and (verse 28) says, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This includes the knowledge of the Father, and gives us the place of children, so that the rest He gives is the result of His finished work. He knows the weary toilers for salvation, toiling for what they can never gain in that way. He gives rest to all who come to Him.
Further blessing He promises in the words, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." His yoke is submission to the Father's will, and He desires us to enjoy the Father's care and love in full submission to His will-"Learn of Me." It was His path; it is to be ours, and rest is found in it. Ye shall find rest unto your souls. Submission to His yoke makes it easy and the burden light. It is rest indeed. (See Psa. 16:5, 65The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. 6The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. (Psalm 16:5‑6).)
Ans. What is important in this passage is that each of us, as servants of the Lord, should in forbearance and meekness be watching, and ready to be God's instruments to deliver such an one who has been opposing the truth, from the snare of the devil, who had taken him captive. God has allowed this dreadful chastening, but it may come to an end, and repentance come in to the acknowledging of the truth and to doing God's will.