Subject: Can you lose your salvation? |
Bible Note: Dear Hank, Let's analyze the passage: 1) 1 John 5:16 - Here, reference is made to a "brother" who sins. The phrase, "any man" must therefore be speaking of only those who are members of the body of Christ and approved of God; it follows, therefore, that the "brother" contemplated as sinning is an erring child of God. An analysis of this passage reveals: (1) a child of God can sin; (2) there is a sin not "unto death"; (3) we are instructed to pray for those thus sinning, with the assurance that our prayers will be heard and answered; (4) there is a sin "unto death"; (5) for those guilty of such it is useless and futile to pray. 2) Our question now is: "What is the sin "unto death"? (a) It is obvious that no single sin, contemplated as an overt act, was in the apostle's mind. The passage does not designate "the sin" or even "a sin", but mere sin, sin in essence, sin abstractly considered. (b) The sin was such that a brother could discern or identify it ("If any man see"). (c) The "death" referred to was not "bodily death" but "spiritual death" - separation from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). (d) It was such a sin as only children of God could be guilty of. Any correct interpretation must take into account each of these considerations and embrace them. 3) There is much about sin and its forgiveness in this epistle of John. Sin is found in the lives of all Christians (1 John 1:8-10); its origin indicated (3:8); the way to void sin is revealed (3:9). In the event of sin in one's life, there is "an Advocate, with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (2:1); and the promise that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1:9) The apostle's teaching on the theme of sin and its forgiveness is abundant, and the significance clear: (1) The Lord will forgive every sin, of whatever nature, that a brother confesses (1 John 1:8-9); (2) There is, however, a sin which the Lord WILL NOT forgive (1 John 5:16); Therefore, the sin which the Lord will not forgive, is simply "a sin", "any sin", "all sin" that a "brother" WILL NOT CONFESS! 4) If this conclusion does not follow, it is because either the major or minor premise of the syllogism is defective. The "major premise" is that the Lord will forgive every sin a brother CONFESSES. This is stated in 1 John 1:8. The "minor premise" is obviously implied in 1 John 5:16. It follows, therefore, that since the Lord will forgive every sin, of whatever nature, that a brother CONFESSES and turns away from; and as there is a sin which the Lord WILL NOT FORGIVE, the conclusion is irresistible that the sin which the Lord WILL NOT FORGIVE is a sin which a "brother" WILL NOT CONFESS! The context corroborates this view. If my brother sins and manifests penitence, I not only may, it is MY DUTY to pray in his behalf (James 5:16). If, however, my brother exhibits stubborn impenitence and persistent "rebellion", following the commission of his sin, it is USELESS to petition the Father in his behalf. The "sin unto death" is thus a "disposition of heart", a "perverseness of attitude", and an "unwillingness of mind" to acknowledge one's sin and turn away from it. Such a disposition effectively "closes" the door of heaven in one's face (Isaiah 59:2). Mike |