Doug Van Pelt

Sin That Doesn't Lead To Death

1 John 5 delves into some mysterious stuff, but majors on hammering home how trustworthy Jesus the Christ is.

"This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

In this context, John is speaking of Jesus as the "child of God," but it could also apply, I guess, to His people on earth. It points out that God's commands are not burdensome. He did not have the Law fulfilled with the death of His Son and make a New Covenant that was just an "improved version" of the Jewish Law. "His yoke is easy and His burden is light." Having the Holy Spirit living inside of us actually empowers us to be new people. We can carry out God's commands, and they aren't fearful or heavy burdens that freak us out. It's loving God and loving your fellow man (neighbor). Love is the supreme motivator and central to His kingdom. While we are here on earth we have the potential to make it a better place.

The Jesus People from the 70s (me included) thought for sure the rapture was just around the corner. It's easy with this theology to make the mistake of "letting the world burn...I'm only here for a little while." Jesus could return today, but if we're about His business (love) and He tarries another 30 years, we'll have improved the lives of those around us and made Him happy. Isn't that true?

"I write these things to you who believe in the Name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

It is a good thing to know we have eternal life. In a changing world, part of us yearns for stability. Seeing God's Spirit at work in our lives, changing us and giving us love for one another is evidence that we have eternal life stamped in our hearts. The Holy Spirit is a person, but is also refered to as a "deposit," guaranteeing our eternal life and salvation.

"If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death."

Bible commentator Matthew Henry seemed to say about this passage that asking for the forgiveness of sins for those believers who sin is proper, but asking forgiveness of sins for those who do not believe is not. Prayer for their repentance is one thing, but praying that their sins be forgiven without repentance (or the sinner believing in Christ and receiving a pardon from sin) is useless. It's a mystery, but an interesting one.

PS Please pray for John Thompson. He's our Marketing/Advertising Director and he was rushed to the hospital yesterday.

Posted by Doug Van Pelt at March 24, 2006 09:12 AM