Random Thoughts by Me
The Ramblings of Levi Cichorz

Wrestlemania

OK so I’m reading through the Bible and in my daily reading I’m in I John and run across this passage:

16If 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. 17All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. -I John 5:16-17

What is this verse talking about? What sin doesn’t lead to death? Is it litteral a physical death or a spiritual? What is the sin that leads to death? The unpardonable sin? Why shouldn’t we pray for it? What kind of sin doesn’t lead to death?

I’m just beginning my wrestle with this. So any thoughts would help.

4 Responses to “Wrestlemania”

  1. The crux of the problem is that the Johannine Literature seems to define sin in two different ways. I will dig through some recent notes and see what I find.

    Brent Smith - July 3, 2009 at 9:15 pm

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  2. Here’s my take on these verses…

    John is recalling Jesus’ prayer in John 17, where Jesus prays this in John 17:9, “I ask on their (the disciples) behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but those whom You have given me, for they are Yours.” The word “ask” is the same word translated “make request” in the NASB in 1 John 5:16. In other words, we’re to pray like Jesus.

    As to this sin which leads to death, the clues are in 1 John. 1 John is all about contrasts: love vs. hate; light vs. darkness, etc. Read through 1 John and you see that those who reject Jesus don’t have the Father, and thus don’t have eternal life (2:25). It’s clear that those who reject Jesus end up hating their brother, and those who do not love abide in death (3:15-16). So, the sin that leads to death: the rejection of Jesus as the Christ come in the flesh by someone who was once a Christian.

    That’s why John ends 1 John the way he does, by recalling Jesus’ prayer in John 17 (compare John 17:9- with 1 John 5:14-20), and then ending the letter with, “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” Rejection of Jesus as the Christ thrusts you back into the world, which is described by John as dark and abiding in death.

    Hope that helps, dude.

    Aaron - July 4, 2009 at 12:00 am

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  4. Thanks, buddy. Hope Delmarva is going well.

    Aaron - July 15, 2009 at 2:17 am

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