1st John 3:7. “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” AS HE IS RIGHTEOUS. In the very nature of the Lord Jesus Christ – He is righteous. In every act He did both as God and man – was a righteous act. In every word He spoke whether to God or man – was a righteous word. In every association He had with persons – it was a righteous relationship.
Meeting the needs of others was one thing He did I can do. Comforting the sorrowing was one thing He did I can do. Interceding for the wellbeing and needs of others is one thing He did I can do. Doing the will of God from the heart is one thing He did I can do.
Being silent when accusers have a lot to say, is one thing He did I can do. Speaking words that are instructive is one thing He did I can do. Making the Word of God more understandable is one thing He did I can do. Singing with my brothers while knowing difficulties are ahead, is one thing He did I can do.
Blessing while being cursed, is one thing He did I can do. Forgiving others who sinned against Him is one thing He did I can do. Keeping close fellowship with His Father is one thing He did I can do. Living in the light of the eternal future is one thing He did I can do.
“O God and Father in heaven, please help me to be Christ-like in the acts of my life. I want to do righteous things as well as being a privileged person to have been imparted the righteousness of Christ. May I always be committed to the Lord and the righteousness that reveals Him to the world. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
When righteousness has been imputed to us, righteousness is practiced. The righteousness of Christ has been imputed to us by virtue of the new nature. The seed of the new nature is in a true Christian and remains there. These words are directed toward those who sin and try to justify it. To claim the sacrifice of Christ was for our forgiveness and yet we can still go on sinning and have the "rubber stamp" of God's forgiveness, is not what is taught here nor is it true. The "little (dear) children" were being led astray and were in danger of not presenting the Gospel to others correctly. An "easy believeism" has made inroads into "Christian preaching" that is deceiving many into thinking they are saved when they are not.
The devil chose to sin when his heart was lifted up in pride and he has been sinning ever since. Those who sin and seek to justify it, discount it or not consider it sin, are children of the devil. They are doing the same thing he did. The seed of divine life is in a child of God and that will convict us, condemn us and lead us to confess and forsake that sin - and not return to it again. To avoid the problem before it happens, we must yield to the Holy Spirit in us who forbids it and our conscience will bear witness to His prompting. We need to deliberately avoid situations where we know sin is practiced and keep as far away as possible from any temptation. Keeping close to other Christians whose influence, moral and spiritual pressure will help us, enables us to overcome habits and practices that lead to sin in the first place.
A person who has been born again with the seed of divine life within, will not habitually sin. Children of the devil will habitually sin and seek to excuse it. Children of God will not. A person who does not do what is right or love God's people is not in God's family. There is no question about it. There is no grey area in this matter. One who is a child of light and who "is light" does not walk in darkness but has the "light of life."