The Unforgivable Sin
October 12, 2005
Dear Friends,
There are three passages in the New Testament which leave us with ideas of the “unforgivable sin.†The first is found in Matthew 12 and says “…whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.†(NKJV) The second passage is found in Hebrews 6 and says “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened…if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance…†And finally, in 1 John 5, we find the following passage: “There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.â€
We would suggest that these three passages are related, but not saying the same thing. We would also suggest that the context of each is unique and influences the meaning of each.
Let’s take the 1 John 5 passage first. To establish its meaning, let us get a handle on the context. John has just talked at length about the testimony of God concerning His son. (If you need a refresher on these passages, see “The ‘Case’ of the Three Witnessesâ€). He has also spent a considerable amount of time showing that true Biblical love is demonstrated in one’s actions – especially toward our brethren. This comes from our faith (verse 4 – “this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.â€) Believing in God’s testimony concerning His son brings life to those who are “dead†in trespasses and sins.
The Apostle then transitions into the subject of prayer. He says “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.†(1 John 5:14-15) We don’t have the time now to do a full exposition on these verses, but suffice it to say, he has just promised the believers that their prayers will be heard.
With this lead-in, we have the verses in question concerning the “sin unto death†that should not be prayed for. With the preceding verses, we first note that this seems like a bit of a retraction on the previous verses. He seems to be saying “Jesus will give you anything you ask for, but don’t ask for this because you won’t get it.†The full quote is “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.â€
The two sins that John is most concerned with in his letter are the sin of hate (the opposite of love) and the sin of denying Jesus (particularly his coming in the flesh). As John has defined these two sins, they are both sins of unbelief. Notice the connection between unbelief, hate (lack of love) and our works.
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (3:10)
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? (3:14-17)
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (4:7,8)
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (4:11)
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. (4:20,21)
Have a great week!
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