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QUESTION 33:
In the First Epistle of John it speaks about the "sin unto death." 1 John 5:16 Is this the unpardonable sin?

ANSWER:
First the unpardonable sin is not mentioned by name in the Bible. The only sin that cannot be forgiven is "unbelief."

The reason is simple, because you have to believe in Christ to have forgiveness. (Read Acts 10:43). The "sin unto death," is that of a Christian, and this is quite clear from the verse itself. John said, "If any man see his BROTHER sin which is not unto death,..." 1 John 5:16. It also states, we should pray for a sinning brother, but we should not pray that he has committed the sin unto death. James speaks of a brother erring from the truth; if his soul is brought back to (life), he is saved from death. (James 5:19-20). A man at Corinth, who was living in immorality, was to be delivered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh (physical death). This man was also considered "a brother in Christ." (Read 1 Corinthians 5:5-11). It would seem that God will chasten a believer to the point of taking them out of the world by death. This was the case with many Corinthians. (Read 1 Corinthians 11:30). They had so abused the Lord's Supper and would not repent, that "many sleep" (died), some were sick, and others were weak. This was God's judgment on them. "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world." (1 Corinthians 11:31-32). There doesn't seem to be any particular sin in view; just a sin that a believer "WILL NOT REPENT OF."

God will not suffer sin to go on continually in the life of a true child of His. Are you a Christian? Is there some unconfessed sin in your life? If you are a child of His, He will chasten you. (Read Hebrews 12:5). If you are not a Christian God will not chastise you now; you HAVE a Judgment Day coming! Why not repent and be saved, TODAY?

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen