sin not to death

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Permalink Reply by Colby on August 3, 2013 at 12:37am

John seems to be saying two things here.  First, that there are sins that do not lead to death, and that we should pray for our brothers and sisters who commit these sins.   Second, that there is a sin that leads to death for which we need not pray on behalf of those committing such sin.

 

A central theme of Scripture is that sin separates us from God.  Since the fall of our original parents, Adam and Eve, all of us have been born with a fallen nature, which predisposes us to sin, and we are in rebellion with God.  The Apostle Paul says, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) and "for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

 

The good news is that "for God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

 

Further, 1 John 1:9 provides believers with this assurance:  "If we confess our sins, he [God] is just and faithful to forgive."  (See also James 5:15: "If they have sinned, they will be forgiven."  If we have acknowledged and received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, when we repent of our sins, we restore our relationship with Christ.  His atoning grace covers our sins.

 

What, then, is the sin that leads to death?

Jesus said that there was one sin that could not be forgiven: blasphemy against the Spirit.  

• "Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people,
  but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven" (Matthew 12:31-32). 

The Apostle Peter denied Christ three times, but Christ forgave him.  So I understand blasphemy--the unpardonable sin that leads to death--as the continuous, ongoing and willful rejection of the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I believe that this is the deadly sin referred to by First John 5:16-17.  Those who knowingly, willfully and continually reject Jesus Christ have made a decision to reject free his gift of grace-filled love and eternal life. 

 

Hebrews 6:4-6 issues this dire warning: "For it is  impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,  if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance."

 

2 Peter 3:9 says God is "not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."

 

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Permalink Reply by CHRISTINE on August 4, 2013 at 12:52pm

I have stored up Your word in my heart so I will not sin against thee.  two trees one of life one of death,  Jesus the tree of life , but the tree of knowledge of good and evil leads to death.  Be transformed by the renewing of Your mind use the Word or God like a mirror to the soul, put on the whole armour of God,  the blood of Christ removes all sin.  even to be religious is sin walk in the spirit, . 

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