Cheryl

I believe that what John is writing about is the fruit of practiced sin. In other words this is the habit that one practices i.e. one practices hatred and therefore unforgiveness. A true Christian may hate and have unforgiveness but a true Christian will not stay in the situation because as John says one who practices sin is not born again. We sin, we repent, we live in victory and then we sin again. In the life of the true Christian there will be repentance. There has to be. Jesus said that if we do not forgive someone who has wronged us, neither will the Heavenly Father forgive us. Forgiveness is not an option but a requirement.

The problem with Matt’s followers is that they are practicing hatred. I do not know where the division comes between sinning and practicing that sin as a habit, but the fruit is not good.

I too know what it is like to hate. When I let hatred rule my life I could not have peace with God. It was impossible for me. But when I let it go, God gave me peace. Years ago I had to do that with my husband. I had no love for him but God told me to love him. I started by telling him I loved the shirt he was wearing or I loved the way he combed his hair. I did as much as I could and the amazing thing is that he responded. After a period of time, I got back my love for my husband and he was treating me differently. We still had lots of problems to work out because we both still were under the hierarchical mindset, but in time God worked that out too and several years ago we both came out and we are VERY happily married. I adore my husband and I wouldn’t be married to anyone else. I no longer have any feelings of hatred and because I practiced what God gave to me, I came free in Christ.

Sometimes practicing forgiveness and practicing love doesn’t change anything in the other person. That certainly is possible. But what it does is free You to experience the best that God has for you. I know what it is like to dream about divorce because I was so unhappy in my marriage and to go from that to a one-flesh union where my husband respects me and gives me everything I need to be emotionally happy.

So again, what John is talking about is practicing hate. A true Christian cannot continue to practice hate and experience God’s love and the same time. There has to come a time of confession and repentance. God will turn things around and he can do it little by little as he did it with me. I hated and I repented and I am now whole. Those who stay in the hatred and who do not repent will never know God’s freedom and their sins will not be forgiven. Jesus said this and it is very, very important to pay attention.

I will email you later regarding this issue.

Blessings,
Cheryl