During the visit by Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, Jesus explains what it means to be born again. John later in his first letter writes that those who are born of God cannot sin. In this post we will explore if it is even possible for those who are born of God to not sin based on what Jesus taught.

What is born of God mean?

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind [G4151 πνεῦμα pneuma] blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit [G4151 πνεῦμα pneuma].

John 3:5-8

In a previous post, we saw what it means to be a born again, that is by practicing righteousness and free from sins. Jesus explains it in a very different and a unique way. The analogy Jesus used to represent the Spirit and wind are same word in Greek and He is rephrasing the verse in Ecclesiastes.

As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.

Eccl 11:5

Just as no one knows where the wind comes from and where it goes, no one will know the works of God. Those who are born of God will also be like that wind because they will do the works of God.

Born of God cannot sin

Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

1 John 3:9

The verse is so clear that those who are born of God cannot sin. How is it possible that those who are born of God cannot sin?

If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.

Matt 18:8-9

Even though we knew the verses where Jesus taught us to cut off everything that causes us to sin, we sometimes don’t see the connection to what makes a born again person unable to sin. If you cut off anything that causes you to sin, how can you sin? This includes even our own body parts. This is why, those who are born of God cannot sin. They had denied themselves to follow Jesus in everything.

Conclusion

Those who are born again or born of God cannot sin. While it seems impossible, it is certainly possible if we exactly obey what Jesus taught. Jesus taught us to cut off everything from our life that causes us to sin. If you cut off anything that causes you to sin, how can you sin? This is why, those who are born of God cannot sin.