1 John 5:1-21
I found 1 John 5 a good wrap up. It reiterated to me what it means to be in God's family and how being a believer of Christ (being born of God) we have victory over this world. Verse 5 says it all. "Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" What an awesome promise. Yet, it's a promise I sometimes overlook when I find myself being torn and challenged by circumstances and things of the world.
So take a few minutes to read back through and think about 1 John 5:4-5. Can you use these verses as an encouragement or a confidence builder? And if so, how? Anything else in 1 John 5 that you find helpful? Tami W.
I love 1st John, they are sure love letters to the church & us. I love when he addresses us as "beloved". I John , chapter 5 is such an encouragement & a confidence builder because he assures us that we are overcomers by our faith. Like you said, his letters are reminders to the church, when we're going through and worrying about this and that, I need to go back and re-read the whole book of I John. It soothes my soul!
As I read todays scripture (nov 12), I'am still thinking about yesterday (nov 11) particularly verse 16. In my spanish translation (traducción lenguaje actual) it reads that one should not pray for people comitting sins that lead to death.
Is this refering to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? What are other sins that lead to death? Is the translation wrong? This verse in the Amplified Bible is not that direct but it is similar.
Please comment.
Julio
Hi Julio,
You've come across a passage in the Bible that has different explanations. However we know God is consistent in what He says, so if there's a problem it is with us. We're told in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (all verses quoted in my response are from the NKJV).
Jesus spoke of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, as recorded in Matthew 12:31: "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men." It seems this must have been a sin that could be committed only while Jesus was on earth showing Himself to be the Messiah. The reason it does not seem it can be committed today is what is recorded in 1 John 1:7: "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." Notice the words “cleanses us from all sin” [emphasis mine]. Even the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit would be included in “all sin.”
The only sin that cannot be forgiven today is the sin not to trust in Jesus Christ as one's Savior and Lord. When we trust in Him as our Savior, His righteousness is placed on our account, even though we don't deserve it. This means, we are saved from condemnation, not because of what we can do for Him but because of what He has done for us.
When you say, it reads that one should not pray for people comitting sins that lead to death, I assume you refer to 1 John 5:16, which says, "If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that."
As you notice, this is a sin that one can "see." There are various explanations of this verse, but perhaps the one that fits best with what the Apostle John was writing about in 1 John is that this verse refers to those who seemed to go along with Christianity but in the end totally rejected Him as Lord and Savior and are eternally condemned. We could "see" this in their lives.
Perhaps it is not a satisfactory answer for you, but at least it does not refer to the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, as I have pointed out above.
God bless you as you continue to search the Scriptures.
Harold B.
P4 Correspondent