Sin that Leads to Death

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:
1 John 5	Deuteronomy 12

Some find it troubling when they come across scripture such as 1 John 5:16 that speaks of sin that leads to death, or a passage such as Hebrews 6:4 which speaks of sin for which one cannot be renewed to repentance. Another such passage is Matthew 12:32 which says that anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. These passages are troubling to them because they are concerned they might have committed a sin that is unforgivable or for which they might be punished with impending death.

But on the contrary, it is those who are not troubled by such passages in scripture who should be troubled, rather than those who actually are troubled. For the desire to be pleasing to God and to avoid sin is in itself an indication that such a person need not be concerned about an unforgivable sin. While one cannot speak with certainty of what specific sins to which these passages might be referring, we can know that they refer to sin that is blatant and unrepentant.

The passage in Hebrews 6, for instance, speaks of one who has acknowledged Christ and gotten a taste of the gift of life He gives and has become companions with the Holy Spirit. But then they have turned their back on it all and rejected it. For them to be renewed to repentance is impossible because it would require Christ to be recrucified, says Hebrews. This is a blatant turning away from God and His provision of salvation through Christ. One who turns away from God as this describes is not concerned about whether or not they have committed an unforgivable sin.

We should always be diligent to avoid sin in our lives. Though we will never completely succeed in this we can be assured that in our diligence we will avoid any unforgivable sin.