Sin Leads to Death (1 John 5:16-17)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 01/12/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Sin leads to Death

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  1 John 5:16-17

 

            Message of the verse:  16 If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it.

17 Every wrong is sin, but not all sin leads to death.  (NLT)  16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.  17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.  (NAS95)

            Theses two verses are somewhat difficult to understand, but I will have a go at what I think John is writing about.  The Bible says that the wages of sin is death, and so all sin leads to death.  I think that the Bible teaches that all people are appointed once unto death, and that appointment with death can come early, but never late.  There are a number of references in the Bible to show that a believer, or at times an unbeliever have died prematurely because of their practice of sin.  The classic example is from Acts 5, and it speaks of Ananias and Sapphira dying because they were hypocrites, and also because they lied to the Holy Spirit. 

            When John writes that there is a sin that leads to death, it could very well mean that there is a habitual sin that leads to death, and if the believer does not respond to the discipline from God he will soon die.  Paul spoke of people from Corinth who died because they did not live right when taking the Lord’s Supper.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  What I get out of these two verses is that I am to keep short accounts with God.  John has written earlier that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Confession means to agree with God that sin is sin.

 

The Word of God has brought conviction to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Keep short accounts with God, and to grow in the love of the Father, and the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.