Sins, Sinning, Salvation, and Staying in the Son
1 John 5:16-21
On February 1st, 1968, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, two sanitation workers were crushed to death in a garbage compactor where they were taking shelter from the rain. Four years prior, two other men died the same way due to the defective equipment. A large percentage of sanitation workers were black and were refused to be heard by the Memphis Mayor Loeb. On February 23rd, the sanitation workers held their first large scale riot. Sadly, the emotions of the protest boiled over into violence. The following day, Reverend James Lawson said, “For at the heart of racism is the idea that a man is not a man, that a person is not a person. You are human beings. You are men. You deserve dignity.” The workers rallied around Lawson’s words and would march through Memphis wearing the iconic placards “I Am A Man.”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came to Memphis and delivered his famous and last public speech “I’ve been to the mountaintop.” In that speech he wrote,
Now that's a strange statement to make, because the world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around. That's a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. And I see God working in this period of the twentieth century in a way that men, in some strange way, are responding…
And that's all this whole thing is about. We aren't engaged in any negative protest and in any negative arguments with anybody. We are saying that we are determined to be men. We are determined to be people. We are saying -- We are saying that we are God's children…
Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land![1]
On the next day, April 4th 1968, Dr. King was shot at the Lorraine Motel.
The Civil Rights Movement was calling on the nation to respond to the message of 1 John: love one another. In that same speech, Dr. King said, “And you know what's beautiful to me is to see all of these ministers of the Gospel. It's a marvelous picture. Who is it that is supposed to articulate the longings and aspirations of the people more than the preacher?” I have often wondered how I would have responded if I was a pastor during the 1960s in the deep south. How would I have responded if I was a pastor in 1930s Germany? Would I have been complicit with the hate-filled culture? Would I have sinned against God by dehumanizing Jewish people in Germany or black people in the United States? What about you?
The two great commandments, first, to love God with our whole heart, mind and strength and second, love our neighbor as ourselves, are epitomized in the Ten Commandments. It begins with commanding us to love God and ends with loving our neighbor. When we violate the second tablet of the Ten Commandments, we dehumanize people. We dehumanize people when we murder, when we make them objects of sexual pleasure, when we do not give them the truth, when we steal and when we covet. As the Apostle John has already said, “Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning…Whoever loves his brothers abides in the light…but whoever hates his brother is in darkness.” (1 John 2:7;10-11)
Beloved, I pray that this book has helped deepen our confidence that we truly know God and have eternal life. And I pray that we will live together as God’s people in a holy love for one another. And John ends his epistle by pointing out what will keep us from this heavenly vision…sin. John gives us wisdom and a warning on how to deal with sin.
Sins as a Source for Supplication
John is finishing his letter and is reminding people about the power that they have in prayer, that if they ask anything according to God’s will, he will hear them and do as they ask. He continues the theme of prayer but shifts the focus to the community of saints. “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death” (1 John 5:16–17). There are four possible meanings here. “(1) a believer commits both sins, and the second believer apostatizes; (2) an unbeliever commits both sins; (3) a believer commits both sins, and God may discipline the second believer with physical death; and (4) a believer commits a sin not leading to death, and an unbeliever commits sin that leads to death.[2]” I believe that the fourth is the most logical option for several reasons. First, John is speaking to believers in the church and he specifically says that, “If anyone (any believer) sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death…” John is trying to balance those twin towers of a righteous life and a repentant life. 1 John 1:10, “If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:10). We all sin, have sinned, and will continue to sin. “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin (a sin not leading to death), we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins and not for our only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).
Christians will sin and Christians will repent and Christians will strive to live a holy, righteous life. If a believer sins, it will not lead to death because it has been paid for by the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus cried, “Tetelestai,” “It is finished.” Salvation has been accomplished. Jesus Christ has paid for your sins. He lived a perfect life and died a sinner’s death. He was dead and buried, but God raised him from the dead. And he ascended to the right hand who now ever lives to make intercession for us as the Righteous Advocate before the Father. If you are in Christ, you have eternal life. Eternal life is not eternal until it is not eternal. Eternal life is forever. You cannot lose eternal life. This is why salvation is often depicted as a new birth. If you are born again, born of God, then you are a child of God and God will not orphan his children.
The second reason I believe option four is the best option is when John speaks of life and death, he almost always is referring to spiritual life and spiritual death or eternal life and eternal death. Therefore, the first person who commits a sin not leading to death is a believer and the second person who commits a sin leading to death is a non-believer. John does not mention the second person being a believer as he does clearly in the first person. Thirdly, I believe the fourth is the best option because of the context of sins in John’s epistle. So, what are the sins that lead to death? In the context of John’s letter, the apostasy of false teachers who deny the humanity and the divinity of Jesus Christ and those who hate their brothers and sisters and those who have departed from sound teaching and the Christian community. John is focusing on those whom God has given over to false doctrine and false living. John is not leaving out all prayer for these people, but he is saying that we should not invest ourselves in praying for them, for they have willfully, persistently, and hard-heartedly rejected Christ. The three texts that may be helpful for us are Matthew 12:31–32 and Hebrews 6:4-6 and Hebrews 12:14-17.
Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (Matthew 12:31-32)
For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, [5] and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, [6] and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (Hebrews 6:4–6)
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. (Hebrews 12:14–17)
The persistent, willful rejection of Christ in life and doctrine will result in eternal death. If you do not have the Son, you do not have life.
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. The only sin that does not lead to eternal death, is the sin that is covered by Christ through faith in his death and resurrection. If you are not a follower of Jesus, all your sin will lead to eternal death. Your sin places you under God’s wrath and under condemnation. Repent of your sins today. If you confess your sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive you of your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.
This is a difficult passage, but do not lose John’s point. Beloved, if you see your brother or sister in sin, pray for them. Pray that God would give them life, true life, abundant life, a righteous life. I’d like to offer up four quick pastoral applications. First, let us be involved in one another's lives' so that we can see when the other person is committing a sin. This takes work to cultivate deep friendships through time and transparency. Spend time together and be honest with one another. Second, do not talk about people, but pray for them. Oh, how much discord would be avoided if God’s people were known for praying and not for gossip and slander. Do not speak bad about people, but speak to God on their behalf. Third, if you see a brother in sin, work to restore him gently. After you go to God in prayer, take the plank out of your own, then go and help remove the speck in your brothers. If he listens to you, you have gained a brother. (Galatians 6:1, Matthew 7, Matthew 18) Finally, invite rebuke into your life. Ask people who know you best to speak truth into your life so that you may grow in holiness and love. Sin in the church should lead to supplication.
Sinning as a Sign of Separation
John gives the church wisdom in encouraging them to pray for believers who sin and to shake the dust at those who reject Christ. He not only gives wisdom but provides a warning. “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:18–19). John is closing the letter with a few summary statements that he has already made clear. If you have been born of God, then you cannot continue in sin. If you go on sinning, you do not know God. Paul Washer says, “You’re not a sinner because you sin. You sin because you’re a sinner.” If you make a habit of sinning, then you belong to this world and the devil. There are only two kinds of people in the world: those who belong to God and those who belong to the world. The church is the “ekklesia,” the called-out ones. We are called out of this world to live and serve our Lord and Master. If you do not submit to Jesus Christ as Lord in life and doctrine, then you are under the evil one and the church should treat you, as Jesus said, as a gentile or tax collector or as the Apostle Paul said, should hand you over to the devil so that your flesh would be destroyed and your spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
If you fail the theological, moral, and relational test of John’s letter and continue sinning, then you do not know God. But if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then the evil one cannot touch you because you belong to God. And Jesus stands in that heavenly courtroom and says over your soul, “Mine!” “She belongs to me!” “His sins are covered!” “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:33–34). The evil one may accuse you, but you are acquitted. It is God who justifies. And it is only God who justifies through faith in Jesus Christ. This is serious, serious business. Do you belong to God? He will protect you. Do you make a practice of sinning? If you do, then you are with the evil one and do not have eternal life.
Salvation as the Surety of the Son
I am using surety as a double meaning. Surety means certain. We can be certain or, as is in John’s language, we can know that we have eternal life. Surety also means a person who takes responsibility for another’s performance of an undertaking, for example their appearing in court or the payment of a debt. Jesus Christ is our sure confidence because he is the one who has taken responsibility for our sins and has paid our debt. “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20). Let’s walk through this precious verse.
And we know – we can be confident in what we believe.
That the Son of God has come – Jesus is not a mere idea, but he is flesh and blood. John saw him with his eyes, heard him with his ears and touched him with his hands. Jesus Christ is real and has come to save sinners.
And has given us understanding – Christians are not better than the world. We are all sinners, but Christians are repentant sinners. We have been given understanding. Our eyes have been opened. We see the world as God has intended. We no longer live for ourselves but for Jesus Christ and his glory. He gives us understanding by his Spirit and his Word. How generous and kind is our God.
So that we may know him – the gospel is not just about knowing facts. The gospel is about knowing God. Jesus died and was raised so we could know him. We can know him personally.
Who is true – Jesus Christ is the truth, the way and the life. The world is full of lies, but Jesus is true. In a world of lies, we must hold fast to Him who is true.
and we are in him who is true – As believers we are united in him. We no longer belong to the father of lies, but we are rescued from the evil one and united to Christ. We are tethered to him as our sure and steady anchor forever.
in his Son Jesus Christ – Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say that I am?” You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is the eternal Son, the Messiah, the Savior of the World. This is who we, as believers, are united to: the Divine, Eternal Messianic Son.
He is the true God and eternal life – Jesus is the true God and is the source of eternal life. Salvation is found nowhere else and there is no other name for which men can be saved. He is true and he is eternal life.
And we all know this is true because he paid our debt, and God raised him from the dead. Jesus overcame the grave as a sign that salvation has come for sinners. He is our surety, the one who offers his life in our place. He has taken responsibility for us. As the great hymn of the faith so aptly writes:
Man of Sorrows" what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim
Hallelujah, what a Savior
Bearing shame and scoffing rude
In my place condemned He stood
Sealed my pardon with His blood
Hallelujah, what a Savior
Guilty vile and helpless we
Spotless Lamb of God was He
Full atonement can it be
Hallelujah, what a Savior
Lifted up was He to die
"It is finished!" was His cry
Now in heaven exalted high
Hallelujah, what a Savior
When He comes, our glorious King
All His ransomed home to bring
Then anew this song we'll sing
Hallelujah, what a Savior
Hallelujah, what a Savior
What a Savior indeed!
Staying as the Sureness of the Son
John ends his letter with one last charge. John reminds his readers that they are little children. The words of this last warning are coming from a place of love as a father speaking to his children. I pray you always hear the words from this pulpit as the words of love as fathers speak to their children. You are our beloved, our joy, and our crown. Our elders love you. We want you to love God with all your heart and mind and strength. We want you to love your neighbor as yourself. And we want you to know that you have eternal life. As little children, we want you to know that you are safe with your heavenly Father and the evil one cannot touch you. And we want you to know of the dangers that lurk in the world and the desires that reside in your very soul. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Little children, keep yourselves in Christ.
Idols are good things that are made the ultimate thing. All things are created as good but then are perverted and made the ultimate thing. Andy Crouch writes in Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power:
[An idol] begins to hold out the promise of becoming like a god. They are the ones that can deliver the most dramatic sensations of godlike freedom, confidence and abundance—in other words, power. A behavior like gambling promises to give us a sense of mastery over the random forces of nature and the ability to bring something out of nothing, to create wealth without having to work. Pornography promises intimacy without risk, commitment and the limitations of our often awkward and vulnerable bodies. All idols begin by offering great things for a very small price. All idols then fail, more and more consistently, to deliver on their original promises, while ratcheting up their demands, which initially seemed so reasonable, for worship and sacrifice. In the end they fail completely, even as they make categorical demands… idols ask for more and more, while giving less and less, until eventually they demand everything and give nothing…
Idols demand more and more and give less and less. They will never satisfy. They will never make good on their promises. Keep yourselves from them. Run from the idols of money and sex and power. Keep yourselves from them because they want your soul.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)
Do not love the world but love Christ. Love Jesus who died for you. Love Jesus who was raised for you. Love Jesus who stands forever as your Advocate before the Father. Love Jesus who is in the light. Love Jesus who laid down his life for you as an example for you to lay down your life for your brothers.
As we close this book, let me ask all of us the following question: will we be a community of idol worshipers, or will we be a community of worshipers of the truth and eternal life? Will we bow to self or the Savior? Will we love Christ above all or lesser things? Will we love one another? Idolatry is sin, and all sin is ultimately against God. When we sin, we sin against God. And our sin manifests against our brothers and sisters. Our sin does not love our brothers but dehumanizes them. Dr. King said he saw the mountaintop. He had envisioned a day when his children would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. He believed that out of the mountain of despair we could hewn out a stone of hope, transforming the riotous discord of hatred into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. He had the right hope, but his hope was misplaced. True reconciliation can’t happen in the world but only in Christ and his people. We cannot expect true reconciliation to happen in our nation that is set against God, but we should expect nothing less in the church. Will we be a people of love? Will we be a people who do not dehumanize one another in sin but look at each other with the spiritual eyes of love? Will we lift our eyes beyond the mountaintop to see the Lamb who was slain and join in that heavenly anthem? “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you made them a kingdom and priest to our God, and they shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:9-10).
Beloved, my dear, dear brothers and sisters, keep yourselves from idols by keeping yourselves in Christ, the Lamb who was slain, our Advocate, our Elder Brother, our Savior, Our Lord, and Eternal Life.
[1] https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkivebeentothemountaintop.htm accessed 2.14.2021
[2] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/sin-unto-death/ accessed 2.14.21