The seed that remains IN HIM is a reference to the doctrine of Positional Truth. The seed is the Holy Spirit. This verse is not at all complicated. WHILE a believer is temporarily IN HIM. So, what John is saying, is that WHILE a believer is in fellowship (all known sins confessed in the Christian way of life), he can not sin. This is a restatement of verse 6.
The make this a little clearer, read James 1.14, 15
14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
A believer in fellowship with the Lord is said to be IN HIM, or IN CHRIST. While being in him (fellowship), he can not sin, the Holy Spirit is protecting him. But, as James says, if a believer gives into temptation, he leaves the protection of the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship until he confesses his known sins. This confession of known sins brings a believer back into fellowship where he can not sin until he chooses to leave the protective custody of the Holy Spirit and sin again.
Yes, believers can not sin, when IN HIM, but once they are lured out of the protective customer of the Holy Spirit, he not only can sin but will sin.
I think there ARE plenty of “Believers”…
WHO ARE
NOT saved / quickened / Baptized.
They are in the interim process, of Learning something new…
Hearing; which receives the Blessing of Faith.
Curious,
Believing what they Hear,
Doubting some things,
Denying some things,
Afraid of some things,
Wondering about some things,
Sure of some things,
Unsure of some things,
Etc. Etc…
A normal “process” everyone experiences..
WHILE experiencing this phase…
They ARE receiving The HOLY Spirit of God…
**
WITH them.
They ARE receiving BLESSINGS From God…
* They “KEY Points here ARE”;
1) they ARE still susceptible to … Outside Powers greater than their own Power.
* parents who do not believe
* demons
* wacky pastors
* friends ( especially teens )
* teachers
* governments
* celebrities
* tv, internet, etc.
* Etc.
2) they ARE dependent ON
“their OWN Power”, to Keep, Hearing, Learning”…
3) At ANY time. They CAN be distracted, lull, step Away, convinced to Walk Away.
4) Should they Choose to WALK AWAY… the bit by bit FAITH they gained… becomes moot.
5) such who Walk Away are called;
“Fallen Away”…. Or “Fallen From Faith
This Whole Process is Called…..TASTING
It Rests ON these who are Warned…The Tasters” of such possibility of them Losing the Receipt of Their bought and paid for Gift of Salvation…. Should they Walk Away After Experience being WITH Gods and His Blessings.
The … extended Part…
The “TASTERS”…. Advancing TO: “EATERS”.
It is These…
* WHO freely choose To Call on the Lord…
Follow All the Steps (WAY, God has Established)… confess Belief, repent, etc.
* And the “KEY” POWER Switch…
No longer is such a man Warned About, Wicked, Evil, higher powers, convincing, bully, enticing, tricking, them “to Walk Away”…
They Literally… Can-NOT, walk Away, ever again Not Believe in the Lord God (sin)…
The POWER, that Keeps them In … Belief Forever…
Is Gods Supreme POWER With and IN Them
It is THEN… they can Never AGAIN…
Not Believe (ie sin) against God.
1 John 3:9
It is THEN…Forever they shall be with God.
And They called… Born of God.
He “their God”
They “His children”…
Never are “they” Subject to Gods Tribulations or Wrath”.
Glory to God,
Taken