A Little Assistance, Please

Thursday afternoon, December 6, 2007

I just posted the following onto my church blog (http://gcfmacon.blogspot.com) in an effort to encourage my local congregants to prepare themselves for Sunday’s message. As you can tell (after you read the posting), I am in way over my head. Anyway, please go ahead and read the following:

This is an easy text: "If anyone sees his brother committing (sinning) a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death" (1 John 5:16-17). A piece of cake! Right?

Hmmm, well maybe not, at least not from my vantage point. In the first place, what is this "sin that leads to death"? I thought all sin lead to death! Even more, what is this sin that does NOT lead to death; again, I thought all sin lead to death!

As you can see, I have three options: (1) Bypass this text, like most exegetes do; (2) make a few inane guesses; or (3) admit the fact that I am clueless but also wait, watch, and listen. Rest assured that I will pursue the latter and hope against hope (really!) that He will bring into existence that which does not exist, namely some understanding of this text.

Thanks! Now, having read the posting, I am interested in hearing your ideas concerning this text. If you have any wisdom, please feel free to send it to me, as I will welcome it! The truth is this is not the first time I have encountered this text but it is none-the-less difficult. I always purpose to keep in focus the context of any text and this one is, certainly, no exception; however, doing so really doesn’t bring much light.

Yes, I know: it would be so much easier, if I would simply bypass this one, but I am really hoping to hear something fresh from Him, so I will wait and watch and listen! And by the way, you might do a bit of that, as well; who knows, revelation just might come upon us, and that would be a good thing!

Anyway—I will be eagerly waiting on your responses!

Blessings,

Mac