Far As The Curse Is Found

Far As The Curse Is Found (1John 3:4-10)
Introduction: The coming kingdom of Christ
"In the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever" (Dan 2:44). A king comes to take away sin, and to destroy the work of the devil.

1. Christ was manifested: to take away sin (3:5) & destroy the devil's work (3:8)
   Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are -- the Holy One of God!" (Mark 1:24, see Eph 6:12, Matt 12:29, John 12:31-32). We are caught between two ages now:

2. Christ will be manifested: to judge (2:28) and purify the world (3:2)
   "The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. . And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Rev 20:10-15).

3. God's children are manifested: now in love and righteousness (3:10), then in glory (3:2)
   Remember 1:8, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

"Not sin, but opposition to sin, is the ruling principle of his life; for whenever he sins he confesses it, and wins forgiveness, and perseveres with his self-purification. But the habitual sinner does none of these things: sin is his ruling principle. And this could not be the case if he had ever really known Christ" (A. Plummer).

Application #1: "Let no one deceive you" (3:7).

Application #2: "Whoever has been born of God does not sin" (3:9).