Are There Sins That Do Not Bring The Death Penalty ?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO COMMIT A SIN THAT IS NOT UNTO DEATH ?
The Apostle John seems to be saying that some sins are not so wrong. Is this correct? No, it is obviously not! What is the Apostle conveying? What does he mean by these words ?
1 John 5:16-17 NKJV 16 If any one sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.
The wages of sin is death. The Bible is clear in this regard ( Rom 6:23). There are no exceptions! God does not categorize sins as acceptable or unacceptable. However, in the Book of Hebrews, Paul describes willful, defiant sin which brings fiery indignation.
Hebrews 10:26-27 NKJV 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
All other sins can be forgiven. When we repent of sins caused by our human weaknesses and ignorance they will be forgiven. These sins are covered by the robust grace provided by the sacrifice of Christ. John reassures the brethren that confessed sins are forgiven.
1 John 4:9-10 NKJV 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Believers need to admit our human failings and regularly repent of our sins; we cannot be perfect.
1 John 1:8-9 NKJV 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
A sin which is not unto eternal death is one where forgiveness is available. But a sin that is willful and defiant and in a spirit of being against God, will not be forgiven.
WHO ARE THE UNPARDONABLE SINNERS ?
The Apostle John focuses a lot on love. The unpardonable sinners do not love the brethren they do not love the church. They are working to lead the church astray. Some just wish to defy God completely. The original apostasy within the church was going strong during John's latter ministry.
1 John 4:1-2 NKJV 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
These false prophets, of the latter parts of the first century, were preaching a false Jesus, and that grace was a license to sin. They were dividing the brethren in a spirit that was the opposite of brotherly love. John is telling us that a sin that brings eternal death is one that is a flagrant offense against God. John is saying do not waste our efforts praying for these false teachers, these apostasizers.
1 John 3:6-8 NKJV 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
These false prophets have probably committed the unpardonable sin. Leave their fate in God's hands. He will judge whether they have gone too far or not. We should instead, focus our prayers in support of the brethren. John says focus our prayers of love on those we can help. Praying for the weak and deceived brother is an act of love. John defines love and sin.
1 John 3:4 KJV 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the- transgression of the law.
1 John 3:1-4 NKJV 1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
John says if we see our brethren striving to obey God we should aid them with our prayers for them.
1 John 4:7-9 NKJV 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
Those trying to deceive the brethren do not love them, or God. John says our prayers as forgiven Christians are a powerful force to help others; except for the false deceivers.
1 John 5:14-16 NKJV 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 16... There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.
The Apostle James also talks about the power of prayer to help the brethren in love.
James 5:16 NKJV 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on our need to bolster each other with loving prayers.
Galatians 6:1-2 NKJV 1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Believers who are spiritual or strong should, in love, help restore a fallen brother in our actions, words and prayers. We should bear each others' burdens in love.
BELIEVERS NEED A PERIOD OF FOCUSED REPENTANCE
The Holy Day of Atonement is approaching. Many consider it helpful to use the days between Trumpets and Atonement to focus on confessing our sins to God. Ten days of preparation for the mandatory fast will show Jesus how much we appreciate His loving pardon for all our sins. Those who do not appreciate the sacrifice of the Messiah are the ones committing the unpardonable sins. God will decide that not us. God told the prophet Samuel not to pray any longer for King Saul. God would not listen. Saul had the Holy Spirit and God took it away because of his defiance.
Hebrews 6:4-6 NKJV 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
True believers must remain faithful! False teachers are attempting to turn us away from God and take us back into a world of sin. Satan wants us to turn our backs on God and His Laws. Satan's agents are actively working through the media and personally to deceive or seduce us. John was concerned about that pressure.
1 John 2:26 NKJV 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.
Believers need to continue to resist our weaknesses and possible deception. Don't let someone deceive you so you can become more accepted and popular and in sync again with this society. Paul warns us not to neglect so great a salvation.
Hebrews 10:25-29 NKJV 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries...29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
Two things are emphasized by Paul. One is the is the importance of assembling with the brethren. The neglect of attendance at Sabbath Services weakens a believer. This also includes attendance at the annual Sabbaths like the Feast of Tabernacles. The second area of emphasis, by Paul, is respecting and appreciating the blood of Christ. We can use the build up to the Day of Atonement to help remind us of our great need for the sacrifice of Christ.
In conclusion remember to attend services when and if possible, regularly, so we can pray for each other and be reminded of the love of Jesus for mankind. Then we can be assured that we have not even gotten close to committing the unpardonable sin. Those who commit such sins do not even care or want to repent.
