Saved from the power of sin
Again. Through this faith they are saved from the power of sin, and not only from its guilt. The apostle says: you know that he was shown to us to take away our sins, and in him there is no sin. Whoever abides in him does not go on sinning. That is 1 John 3. Again: little children, let no one deceive you. The person who practices sin is of the devil. Whoever believes is born of God. And whoever is born of God does not practice sin, for God's seed remains in him, and he cannot go on sinning, because he is born of God. And again: we know that whoever is born of God does not go on sinning. The one begotten of God keeps himself, and the evil one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18.
The person who is born of God, by faith, does not sin in these ways. He does not sin by a habit of sin, because a habit of sin is sin reigning, and sin cannot reign in anyone who believes. He does not sin by a willful sin, because his will, while he abides in the faith, is set against all sin, and hates it as deadly poison. He does not sin by a sinful desire, because he continually desires the holy and perfect will of God, and by the grace of God he stifles any drift toward an unholy desire at the start. And he does not count his weaknesses as sin, whether in act, word, or thought, because those weaknesses have no agreement from his will, and without that agreement they are not properly sins. So the one who is born of God does not practice sin. He cannot say he has never sinned. But now, he does not go on sinning.
1872 text
5. Again: through this faith they are saved from the power of sin, as well as from the guilt of it. So the Apostle declares, "Ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not" (1 John 3:5ff.). Again, "Little children, let no man deceive you. he that committeth sin is of the devil. Whosoever believeth is born of God. And whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." Once more: "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not" (1 John 5:18).
6. he that is, by faith, born of God sinneth not (1.) by any habitual sin; for all habitual sin is sin reigning: But sin cannot reign in any that believeth. Nor (2.) by any wilful sin: for his will, while he abideth in the faith, is utterly set against all sin, and abhorreth it as deadly poison. Nor (3.) By any sinful desire; for he continually desireth the holy and perfect will of God. and any tendency to an unholy desire, he by the grace of God, stifleth in the birth. Nor (4.) Doth he sin by infirmities, whether in act, word, or thought; for his infirmities have no concurrence of his will; and without this they are not properly sins. Thus, "he that is born of God doth not commit sin": and though he cannot say he hath not sinned, yet now "he sinneth not."
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1872 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1872 panel is the public-domain sermon. Its disputed lines were checked against the University of Toronto scan of the forty-four sermons: a public robber, a common harlot, sons of perdition, the Romish delusion, and Popery.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 1. Saint Mary's, Oxford, 18 June 1738. Ephesians 2:8.
Witnesses
- Copy-text Salvation by Faith, 1872 wording (English · The whole sermon, divided to match the reading)
- Checked print Forty-four Sermons, University of Toronto scan (English · Checked the robber, harlot, perdition, Romish, and Popery lines)
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.