"1 John 3:4-10 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."(1 John 3:4-10)

This passage is not intended to show you how to live righteously enough to get to heaven. If we look at it that way, and then compare it to our own lives, we will come to the same conclusion as the disciples did. "Who then can be saved?" The answer is the same, it is impossible with men (and their efforts) but all things are possible with God (because of sovereign power and grace).

"Manifest" is the key word to clarify all. Ta person's actions manifest his nature. Their actions do not make their nature. Jesus said make the tree good and the fruit will be good.

We sin because we are sinners. Sin is the evidence that a sin nature is in a person. We do righteousness because we have been made righteous. But it important to remember that the born again child of God has a dual nature. Righteous is in their lives but the old sinful nature has not yet been completely eliminated.

The purpose of John’s letter has been to encourage the children of God to have a deeper fellowship with God. Therefore, John is not giving us a list so we can judge other people. He is telling us that if we have felt the love of God in our lives and tried to live righteously is because of one thing, God saved us through Jesus Christ.

Moreover, if we see someone doing righteous things, there is only one reason they are able to do that. They are saved by God in Jesus Christ. We should seek fellowship with that kind of person.