Sin Unto Death
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
The "sin unto death" has caused a great deal of discussion and debate over the centuries, and we won't solve all of those problems today.
We can; however, safely deduce the context of what John was addressing in this portion of his letter.
The big misunderstanding in 1 John, is the assumption that everything in the letter is about Christians, simply because it was written to Christians.
We need to remember one key point. John may be addressing Christians in this letter, but we must conclude that not everyone that he writes about is a Christian.
In fact, he specifically warns about false teachers in this letter. They obviously aren't true Christians.
Understanding this fact, will eliminate a lot of confusion.
v.16:
A Key Point About Sin:
A Key Point About Sin:
The wages of sin is death.
Therefore, all sin has resulted in eventual physical death.
James 1:15
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
But the gift of God is eternal life, meaning that sin can be forgiven by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
With this in mind, John could be speaking of spiritual death, which can be averted, rather then physical death, which is inevitable, saved or not.
It would be impossible to try to name one specific sin which “leads to death”, since John himself didn’t identify it.
Certainly, if John were referring to a specific sin, he would have named it.
More likely he is referring to a pattern of sin, in which one is so entangled, and their heart so hardened, that they will never seek forgiveness.
Such a person has already forsaken God, and is entrenched in their position.
The person that John is speaking of could be a non-believer, and that John is using the term brother in a generic manner.
Possibly, he uses the word brother because that's who these people claim to be.
In this letter John had warned about anti-Christs (false teachers).
So, those to whom John could be referring, are those who claim to be the brethren, but obviously are not.
It could well be the false teachers he has warned about.
None of this is to say that believers can't get so steeped in sin that it leads to their death, they certainly can.
So, here is a different thought:
It is quite possible that John is writing and warning believers that it is possible to commit a sin that is worthy of physical death—a sin so obvious to others that the brethren are not told to “pray for it.”
Examples Of Sin Leading To Death:
Examples Of Sin Leading To Death:
There are a few examples of this in the Scripture.
The sons of Eli dishonoring the priesthood (1 Samuel 2).
Korah’s rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16).
Ananias and Sapphira lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-10).
An incestuous church member delivered over to Satan for his destruction (1 Corinthians 5:1-5).
Maybe John is speaking of believers who are so entangled in a lifestyle of blatant and obvious disobedience to God, that it will eventually lead to death.
It could be either of the possibilities I’ve mentioned, or perhaps John had both in mind. I’ll leave that conclusion up to you.
To Pray Or Not To Pray?
To Pray Or Not To Pray?
It is the next portion of John’s statement that is curious. “I do not say that he should pray about that.”
Is John simply suggesting that prayer for such an issue is not necessary, or is there an implied command not to pray?
He doesn’t come right out and say not to pray for such a thing,
We can safely infer that it is our prerogative to pray if we wish.
However:
There is Biblical precedent for withholding prayer for certain situations.
Jeremiah 7:16-18
“Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you. Do you not see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger.
Jeremiah 11:14
“So do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry out to Me because of their trouble.
Jesus even withheld prayer for the world.
John 17:9
“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.
The decision not to pray for someone should never be taken lightly, and we should tread carefully here.
We should seek discernment, and be sure there is solid Biblical precedent before we decide that a situation will not receive our prayer.
v.17:
We Should Remember:
We Should Remember:
All unrighteousness is sin.
This phrase is all encompassing. In fact, one could say that whatever is not from faith is sin.
Romans 14:23
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
The Only Way To Know Righteousness, Is Through Jesus Christ.
The Only Way To Know Righteousness, Is Through Jesus Christ.
The only way to know righteousness is through faith in Christ, and without faith it is impossible to please Him.
Therefore, even the most noble deeds, done outside of faith, are inherently sinful, because without Christ there is no righteousness.
Romans 3:10
As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;
We can say that there is sin that does not lead to death, because the gift of God is eternal life.
Thererfore, faith in Christ eliminates the spiritual death.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This gift is given in Jesus Christ, by His death and resurrection.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2 Corinthians 5:21
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
As such:
We can place faith in Christ and His resurrection, and our sin will no longer bring spiritual death.
1 Corinthians 15:26
The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
1 Corinthians 15:55
“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
What better place to be, than in the loving arms of Christ?
ADVERTISEMENT