*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*A SIN UNTO DEATH AND THE SIN NOT UNTO DEATH.*
*Scripture Treasure.*
1 John 5:16-17 *If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.*
*All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
Though all unrighteousness is sin, John differentiates between the sin that causes death and the sin that does not.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
John's explanation and differentiation of sin do not justify us to choose between sin.
Sin is sin, and there is divine punishment, Rom 6:23.
This is why John explains further, saying in 1 John 3:9 *Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.*
This meaning; the Christian must not make sin a habit. Whenever he is tempted, there is a seed in him that tells him, 'Sin is not your food'. John says, *"...he cannot sin...'* which means he will find it difficult to sin.
It is interesting to look at John's differentiation of sin in 1 John 5:17.
He says, *"All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.*
This tells us that though sin is sin, there is, however, a sin that is not unto death.
He, however, says ,*"......There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.*
Let us look at the two:
First, John is warning here that there is a sin unto death, and no one should pray to fall into such sin.
The sin unto death causes immediate spiritual death and separation from God. For example, Adam and Eve's desecration of Eden, the forbidden fruit in Gen 3. They lost the presence of God and were separated from God.
This sin unto death is best explained when the temple of God is violated.
Concerning the temple of God. God says
1 Cor 3:17 *If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.*
God took it so personal that Paul says God Himself will destroy any man (any person) that defiles it!
Second is John's explanation of sin that is not unto death.
This sin may best be explained in our daily response to directives and availability.
Occasional omission or continual neglect of duty, lateness, procrastination, unexplained or avoidable absenteeism, lack of paying proper attention to duties, nonchallant attitude, unapologetic, lack of adequate preparation and thorough execution of Kingdom assignments etc.
People may have one or more of these yet may be qualified to be part of those expecting the coming of the Lord.
The foolish five virgins were part of the Kingdom, qualified to wait for the Lord’s return but lack of preparation, lack of paying needful attention to assignment, non-challant attitude were some of their attitudes but they failed to work on it and it eventually became costly.
They had the privilege to have their works tried by fire, but their works were burned, 1 Cor 3:12-15
The sin that is not unto death may not cause an immediate separation from God if there is a quick change before it leads to the sin that is unto death. This will lead to more serious consequences of drawing away from God.
Furthermore, about the sin that is not unto death. John says as we see in 1 John 5:16 that man (not God now) can give life back to a person whose sin is not unto death but only God can give life back to a person who sins unto death.
Becareful as you walk with God.
No sin is excusable, but there are some that cause immediate separation from God, and only God can restore, but those which are not unto death, *"...if he shall ask..."man shall give "...him life for them that sin not unto death."* If the offenders ask his authority in the spirit of humility.
Everyone is walking on either of these roads of sin, but it is better not to walk in any of it.
Becareful!
*Remorse corner.*
You are not in the sin that is unto death but beware of those little sins that are not unto death that are showing up in your life.
*Call to Word action.*
Remember Gal 5:9 *A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
If adequate corrections are not made to the sins that are not unto death, they can lead to sin that is unto death. They will eventually spoil the vine! Catch them today before they destroy your blossom calling. Do it now before it is too late.
SoS2:15 *Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.* (NIV)
*Prayer.*
Lord, help me to pay more attention to my service to You. Let me not be careless
to fall into any sin, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and be blessed as you come into His presence today.
God bless you.