First John is one long exhortation concerning sin in the Christian life. John does not mince words.

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (I John 2:3,4)

How many can see I John 2:3,4 means—not that again!

Let's move on.

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (I John 3:3)

Every believer who hopes to be like Jesus and see Him as He is purifies himself or herself from the love of the world, the lusts of the flesh, and self-will and stubbornness. He doesn't attempt to purify his neighbor, he doesn't attempt to purify the government, he doesn't attempt to purify the unsaved, he purifies himself. He does this by confessing and turning away from the filthiness of his flesh and spirit, calling on Jesus for help.

He purifies himself just as Christ is pure.

Is this what is says? Did I come close to the text? Or does it mean we are saved by grace anyway?

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (I John 3:4)

John, being a devout Jew, would be referring to the Law of Moses, particularly the Ten Commandments.

We Christians do not understand that the Law of Moses is a guardian servant that brings us to Christ. The Law is always there ready to judge us if we continue in sin.

Sin is the breaking of the moral law of God. We are free from the Law of Moses provided we count ourselves crucified with Christ and risen with Christ, and act accordingly! The tremendous error of our day is that we can continue in the flesh and by confessing Christ be relieved from the condemnation imposed by the Law.

We have died to the Law of Moses that we might be married to Christ and bring forth the fruit of Christ's Nature in our personality.

But let not that individual, whether or not he professes faith in Christ, who continues to walk in the filthiness of the flesh and spirit, suppose for one moment that he is free from the moral law of God as expressed in the Ten Commandments. He is not free. God will have no creature continue to live under no law. Judgment will not be long in coming.

Again, did I depart wildly from the verse?

And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. (I John 3:5)

Sin was forgiven under the old covenant through means of animal sacrifice. I have heard it taught that the sins were not really forgiven but the animal sacrifice only looked forward to the atonement made by Christ. I don't think this is quite true. The Book of Leviticus states several times that the sins were forgiven and I would rather stick with the Scripture than get into human reasoning.

To be continued.