I John 5:13-21
Just a week ago (12/20) we engaged in an RTB discussion on the “practice of sinning”, specifically that we could not be “born again” if we continued a “practice of sinning”. The sum of it all, knowing the presence of daily sin in every believer’s life, lay in the importance of confession and repentance in the believer’s life. So today John engages in a similar conversation, contrasting sins “not leading to death” and sin “that leads to death” (v. 16). Clearly John had spent time with the recognition of sin in his own personal life, as did his friend Paul who wrote, “For I do not that good which I will; but the evil which I hate, that I do.” (Romans 7:15) Again my Study Bible lent clarity to the difference between sins “not leading to death” and sin “that leads to death”. They spoke of “unrepentant sin” as that sin that leads to spiritual death. This notion of “unrepentant sin” makes a strong connection to the practice of sinning and sin that leads to death. For both it’s clear that confession and repentance are fundamental in the believer’s life.
John closes this letter with three “We know…” statements in three verses: We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning;… that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one; …<and> that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him. (vv. 18-20) GLORY!!
Slava Bohu!