The person who practices righteousness is showing that he is righteous. But you are reading it to say you make yourself righteous by practicing righteousness.
Looks like John was addressing the same deception as we have today.
He starts out saying… Little children, let no one deceive you.
Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.
1 John 3:7
- He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.
A person can believe they are righteous because 20 years ago they were born again,but they are not living for God.
Oh they go to church and live lukewarm lives and believe lukewarm watered down doctrine that is a mixture of some scripture along with a healthy dose of the teachings of man.
There is no fear of the Lord. There is no passion or fire for the things of God.
Only excuses and deception. People deceiving themselves because they read and “believe” what the scriptures say, but they don’t do what the scriptures say.
- He who practices righteousness is righteous
A righteous person is someone who practices righteousness.
Surely you don’t believe a righteous person is someone who believes they are righteous because Jesus Christ paid the price for their righteousness, but they don’t practice righteousness?
Believing without obeying is demonic believing.
The Spirit of God in us give us the ability to do what is righteous.
Each Christian must choose to live according to the Spirit and practice righteousness, and by the Spirit crucify the sinful deeds of the flesh.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:12-13
Plainly, Paul is speaking to Christians, people who have the Spirit.
- For if you live according to the flesh you will die; (eternal damnation)
- but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (eternal life)
Sowing to the Spirit, using our time and effort to cultivate and practice Godly habits (ways) of righteousness so that we will reap eternal life is what every Christian is called to do.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption,
but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:6-7
JLB