Sins And Idols Series

In verses 16-17:

• Commentators differ in thoughts regarding what the sin unto death is.

• Is it a physical death or a spiritual death?

• The Apostle Paul had written that a few Christians had died since they took communion disgracefully

o 1 Corinthians 11:27-30, Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

• Ananias and Sapphira gave up the ghost (died), when they lied to God (Acts 5:1-11)

• Blaspheming against the Holy Spirit brings about spiritual death

o Mark 3:29, But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.

• An individual who betrays Christ dies a spiritual death

o Hebrews 6:4-6, For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

• It may be the case that John was considering believers that had left the Christians fellowship.

• By rejecting the only way to salvation, people are putting themselves out of the reach of prayer

o Hebrews 10:26, For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

• Even if we knew what the 'sin of death' was, we cannot know if someone has committed it.

• We should continue praying for others, and let God be the judge.

• We can't ask that the sins of the remorseless and unbelieving ought to be excused them; or that leniency ought to be conceded to them, while they stubbornly proceed with such.

• Be that as it may, we may appeal to God for their repentance, for their being advanced with faith in Christ.

• We ought to petition God for other people, just as for ourselves, importuning the Lord to absolve and recuperate the fallen, and to give ease to the enticed and distressed.

• Believers, when asked by other believers, should offer prayer and support

o James 5:14-15, Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

• John urges them to acknowledge that in spite of the fact that transgression is transgression, not all wrongdoings lead to death.

In verses 18-19:

• All of humanity are isolated into two domains; that which has a place with God, and that which has a place with the devil.

• Genuine believers have a place with God, and they are of God; while the rest, are in the might of the devil

o John 10:28-29, And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

• This general affirmation incorporates all unbelievers, whatever their calling, station, or circumstance, or by whatever name they might be called.

• The Son drives believers to the Father, and they are in the affection and favor of both; in unification with both, by the inhabiting and working of the Holy Spirit.

• Cheerful are those to whom it is given to realize that the Son of God is come, and to trust and depend on Him.

• Christians that commit sins, request that God forgive them, and they keep on serving Him.

• God has liberated believers from subjection to Satan.

• God guards the believers from Satan's constant assaults.

• Except a sinner comes to know Christ, they choose the option to obey Satan.

• There is no center ground.

• Either believers have a place with God and obey Him, or they live under Satan's influence.

In verses 20-21:

• Jesus came to earth to die for us to cover our sins.

• Jesus is completely God and completely human simultaneously.

o John 1:1, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.