For weeks now we have been studying the book written by John the apostle named First John. We have been learning about how much God loves us and desires to have fellowship with us. The realization of this love spontaneously generates love for others as a natural outflow, and in these last few verses of study before we end this book John has been emphasizing the importance of helping one another when we see sin in each our lives. Yesterday we left off with a discussion about two levels of sin shared by John in First John chapter five and verse sixteen. He wrote:
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.
John wrote that when we see a brother (or sister for that matter) sin a sin that is not unto death, we should restore them, make them aware, and we learned from Paul the apostle that we should do so in such a way that we remember that the next time we could be at fault. However, John writes that there is a sin for which we should not pray. He called it “a sin unto death”. The idea is that God will not force anyone to receive Him. He awaits all, but forces none. He longs for all, but will only receive those who receive Him. Jesus came to save a condemned world. Jesus said it like this in the gospel of John in chapter three and verses seventeen through eighteen:
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
There is only one sin that will keep someone from Heaven - rejecting the salvation plan of God. His plan is simply receiving His Son Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and those who receive Jesus will live forever and ever with God. Those who do not receive Jesus have rejected the only provision for the “sin unto death.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father but by me.” (John 14:6) Peter the apostle wrote in the book of Acts in chapter four and verse twelve:
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane said, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as you will.” If what is possible? If there is any other way for people to be saved, then Jesus would not have had to go to the cross. There is no other way. Jesus made the way, and whether we believe this or not shall be the determining factor as to whether we live forever in Heaven with God or not. God is a gentleman, and He will force His will upon no one, however, He will not be harmed by our rejection, we will.
Perhaps there are those reading these words today who have never received the provision of God for the one sin that will keep us from Heaven. If so, receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord is as simple as confessing with our mouths and believing in our hearts that God has given the provision of Jesus for our sins, and we shall be saved. It is as close as one prayer away from all who will.
Next time we shall take a look at all unrighteousness and its affect on us, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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