Taken,
Would you consider a slightly different interpretation of this passage? I don't disagree with your main point concerning the central importance of being born of God. But I do not believe John is making the same claim that you seem to be making.
I do not believe John minced words. He was very percise.
Everyone who commits sin does, in fact, commit lawlessness. Indeed, sin is
lawlessness. Now we know that the man, Jesus, was revealed in order to take away our
sins. So, in him, there is no sin.
Everyone who remains a faithful follower of him
does not sin.
John is not claiming, as I used to think, that those born of God never commit a sin. Rather, he is saying that those born of God never commit the sin of unbelief with respect to the truth that Jesus is the son of God.[/QUOTE]
There is Gods ONE Understanding...
and there is mans DUEL Understanding.
Men "under" the Law...who Believed in God...
God was.......
WITH
Old Testament Covenant.
Men "not" Under the Law...who Believe in God....God IS ......
WITH
Both...of those examples...are men WHO "remain" in Believe, by their own effort and power.
THEY CAN FAULTER at any time, and fall away from Faith.
And with men OF the Earth INCREASING in Wickedness, threats, fear....men ARE groomed at all costs, to SAVE their Bodily life.
Much is elaborated in Scripture, of the URGENCY for such men to Take the next step.
And the Next Step....is What Jesus Offered;
??? TO BE..."WITH-IN", Christ, and Christ "WITH-IN" the man....FOREVER.
Notice the POWER CHANGE?
It is no longer A MAN, relying on his power...
IT is now A MAN, relying on Gods SUPREME POWER to KEEP the man FAITHFUL TO GOD.
John was Expressly speaking of an Exclusive relationship Between ONE MAN and God....and the Exclusive Gift unto such a man BORN OF GODS SEED...that NEVER AGAIN can that man SIN AGAINST GOD.
What does THAT have to do with relationships Between Man and Man? NOTHING.
Is man told to BELIEVE in man?
Is man told to WORSHIP a man?
Will a man forfeit his SOUL'S Gift of Salvation if he, lies, cheats, steals, kills, leaves, rejects another man?
No.
SIN is Against God, and ONLY God forgives SIN, and ONLY God Restores a mans soul, and ONLY God Quickens a mans spirit, and ONLY God KEEPS that man WITH AND "IN" God Forever.
IF you Study Scripture...There ARE "precepts" God has taught men from Ancient History.
Those are Gods "guidelines" for a FAVORABLE outcome for "relationships BETWEEN men".
Not news, men are NOT all knowing...
Cheating, Lying, stealing between men...
(Intended or by happenstance)...does occur.
AND GOD in His Wisdom gave EXPRESS teaching IN MEN "FORGIVING" MEN...
OF TRESPASSES!!
I am a gentile...never under OT Law.
My SIN AGAINST GOD was DISBELIEF.
My Lord Offered me a WAY to LEARN "ABOUT" Him...
My Lord Offered me a WAY to be "FORGIVEN" of my Disbelief IN Him.
My Lord Offered me a WAY to become "MADE", WITH and IN His Power.
My Lord, Offered me a WAY to become "KEPT" WITH and IN His POWER......FOREVER!
I CHOSE my Lord's WAY.
When you deflect to "everyone" and "relationships" between men...that is NOT what 1 John 3:9 is about.
It is specific about ONLY men born of God and their exclusive relationship WITH and IN God and God WITH and IN them...Forever.
Perhaps, study Trespasses...
Perhaps start with...
Eph 2:
[
1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in Trespasses
and Sins;
Two Different things.
Glory to God,
Taken