The Suffering Savior

Brian led a great class, last night, leading us to discuss about 1 John 5:16-17: "If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death."

Powerful verses! Looks confusing, huh? There are two groups with "a sin that does not lead to death" and "a sin that leads to death". Brian asked us to explain, as best as they can, what this means to them. One student noticed two words, "his brother" mean that he/she might be looking at a Christian (brother/sister in Christ) whom might have sinned. But, this sin doesn't lead them to death. Why? Because they have been forgiven of their sins according to 1 John 1:7; Hebrews 10:17-18. Jesus' blood covered their all their sins: past, present and future. Of course, with an understanding, that we do not "intentionally sin" against God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-2). All Christians are not perfect. Each of us will make mistakes. Each of us will stumble here and there. We must have a repentant heart asking God for forgiveness of our sins. We must ask our fellow Christian brother or sister to pray for us as we acknowledge the sin each of us have done and that we're thankful that Jesus' blood covered it.

Now about "a sin that leads to death"?? What was Apostle John, inspired by God, trying to tell us here? Of course, all sins separates us from God according to Isaiah 59:1-2. If you have sinned against God, there's death. The word, "death" means separation from the Creator of Life; disfellowshipped; there's no relationship between you and God. It doesn't matter how many sins it takes to separate you, one sin (no matter how little or big it is), separation! If you have lied, you've sinned. If you have, in mind, lusted over a woman, you've sinned. If you have, in mind, wanted to kill a person but wouldn't do it, you've sinned (1 John 3:15). If such a person does not have Jesus (have not heard, believed, repented of his/her sins, confessed Jesus is Lord, baptized for the forgiveness of their sins), sin remains! Such a person isn't covered with Jesus' blood: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 (niv)

So, where are you walking? If you're walking in darkness, would you think Jesus' blood is purifying you today? I don't think so. Though, He wants to purify you but you're walking on the wrong path. You're living a dark life. If you have woken up finding yourselves walking in darkness, it's not too late to change course. If you have never been a Christian, go to your local church of Christ minister and explain your problem that you want to walk in the light of Jesus and forever be purified (as long as you're walking in light). If you have been a Christian in the past but have become a "Prodigal Son", do the "R&R" (Repent and Return), getting back into your relationship with God. Send us your request to pray for you that God will grant you life again! Remember, He loves you and that's the reason He gave us His Son!

Even though, 1 John 5 tells us that we shouldn't "pray" for those with "a sin that leads to death", it sounded like God is mean! But that's not true. What John was trying to tell us is that there will be people who are "gross hypocrites", "anti-Christians", and "licencious sinners". They just don't care.. And we shouldn't waste our time with such people as these. Jesus didn't bother to waste His time with the Pharisees and other teachers of the law. He went to the sinners, the hurting, the confused, and the sick. It doesn't mean we cease to think about them. Yes, God loves them but not their attitudes and actions. There are other people whose hearts are ripe for harvest and ready to believe in Jesus!

At the close of the great class, we discussed about our friends, families and co-workers who continues to live a sinful life while knowing there is a God who loves them. They either don't care about God or they care but hang on to their sinful life thinking God understands them. Some of the aspects of sin life are homosexuality, adultery, lust of the flesh and others. One commented that sometimes as a "Christian" he/she forgives them for what they are doing but in "flesh", he/she doesn't forgive them because of the grave danger of sin. The Barna survey reports that 60% of the Christians have a hard time forgiving others.

I reminded the class to put themselves in Jesus' sandals. Or in the worse case scenario, put themselves in place of Jesus on the cross!! While Jesus was on the cross, the people mocked Him! Yet, Jesus asked His Father in Heaven to forgive them for that they do not know what they're doing. It was "their sins" that put Jesus there! In my experience, I have heard people tell me, "Oh, Jesus is God and it's easy for Him to forgive. We're not "God" and it's hard for us to forgive others." That's horrendously untrue!! Don't they know what Jesus had to go through? Before his first lash of the whip, He was in the garden praying to His Father in Heaven asking for another way. He grimmaced knowing the fact He has to go through severe punishment! Sweat drops of blood flowed from His forehead as He prayed, three times!! Now, you know the rest: the arrest, the trial, the scourging of whips, the decision of Pilate, the mocking crowd, the path to Golgotha, three nails and asking God to FORGIVE them. He died for our sins, yours and mine!

Behold, the suffering Savior!