The Dark Region Of Despair -1 John 5:16

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. - 1 John 5:16

A most curious verse.  Doesn’t all sin lead to death? What sin are we talking about here? Are there sinners we should pray for and sinners we should abstain from praying for?
True, all sins leads to death - “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 6:23. Repentance and belief in Jesus Christ rescue us from the sin that does not lead to death, but what of the sin that John speaks about?
Obviously, John is speaking of the “unpardonable sin.”  “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” - Matthew 12:31-32. Clearly, even Jesus saw at least one unpardonable sin. What is the defining difference between a sin that does not lead to death and the sin which does lead to death? Charles H. Spurgeon addressed this quandary perhaps better than anyone else - “He who has committed the sin which is unto death have no desire for forgiveness, he will never repent, he will never seek faith in Christ but he will continue hardened and unbelieving; he will henceforth never be the subject of holy influences, for he has crossed over into that dark region of despair where hope and mercy never come.”  The sin of unbelief is the sin which defies forgiveness because it defies belief in Jesus Christ! The Holy Spirit is the witness to the glory of Christ. To refuse to believe in His witness is blasphemy and as Jesus tells us it will not be forgiven the unbeliever in this age or the next. Prayers offered for the soul of an unbeliever who has consistently denied the glory of Christ are prayers which will not help that individual since his unbelief accompanied him throughout his life and across the threshold into death. But how can we know beyond a shadow of doubt who has committed this unpardonable sin? The fact is only God can know for certain - “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
 - 1 Samuel 16:7.
Since it is impossible for us to discern the heart within our fellow man, or “brother” as the title verse suggests, we cannot know for certain. We should err on the side of grace and pray without ceasing for all mankind. You see, at the end of the verse John merely says that we are not obliged to pray about it, but he doesn’t say we shouldn’t. May we always pray that the glory of Christ is illuminated in the heart of every man, woman, and child. Let there be no unbelievers among us.

A Forge of Idols - Isaiah 43:24

   
You have bought Me no sweet cane with money, nor have you satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices; but you have burdened Me with your sins, you have wearied Me with your iniquities. - Isaiah 43:24

“The human soul will find an object to worship, either on the shelf, on the altar, in the mirror, or in heaven. We are born idolaters.” - Dr. Albert  Mohler, “Words From The Fire.”

The 1st Commandment is terse in terms of its perspicuity -  “You shall have no other gods before Me.” - Exodus 20:3. A reasonably sane person should need no more than those eight concise words to understand his or her duty toward God. Yet we see a myriad of idols being created and worshiped daily throughout our cities, our nation, and the world. Sometimes the idols are even within our own Christian homes.
There are two things that every idol have in common: material and finitude. They are both made of some material common to all men and they all have a shelf life. From the notion of a common material we can extrapolate that the material may be as tangible as a new car or as fleeting as celebrity. In either case these idols are finite by their very being. Only God is infinite!
Most idols today require but three things to exist. First, they demand our minds, then our hearts, then our cash. As ignoble as that sounds the three are inextricably tied together.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 6:21.
Calvin once remarked, “The human mind is, so to speak, a perpetual forge of idols.” And so we are. “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God , boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God . . . .” - 2 Timothy 3:2-4. Whether it be our football team, our sports-car, our trophy wife, our favorite entertainers, our toys or what-have-you, we always seem to give our attention, or money, and in many cases that which is reserved for God to these idols of choice. But as I said - all these idols have a shelf-life. None of them live forever. There is no eternity in them as there is in our holy God.  After all, what is more fleeting than something that is here today and gone tomorrow? For the idolater, the ultimate source of power is their cash; it keeps his or her idol within reach. For the God-worshiping Christian our source of power is the Holy Spirit. And here’s the defining difference: idolater’s will eventually run out of cash but God is forever.
May we always praise God and glorify Him as we should . . . and keep the world at arms length, as we should.

Rejoice! - Matthew 28:9

And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. - Matthew 28:9

The weekend had been particularly brutal in every aspect. On Friday, Jesus’ disciples had witnessed the utter destruction of the man they called “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And here they were on Sunday morning, wondering what the future held for them. Their expectations ranged from confusion to stark raving fear. Their consternation was further aggravated by their sense of loss and hopelessness. What would be come of them now that “He” was gone? The darkness gave way to dawn as two of the women disciples were hurrying back to the others with news of the empty grave when the Messiah approached them. His first word to them was,”Rejoice.” “REJOICE,” He said. Crucified for our sins and risen from the dead for our salvation - Rejoice! “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” - Psalm 118:24. Every sin forgiven; every iniquity forgotten. Our dirty rags exchanged for robes of righteousness. “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” - Philippians 4:4. By grace our debts have been forgiven and a room in God’s mansion awaits us. By the blood of Jesus Christ we have our inheritance in heaven. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” - 1 Peter 1:3. This is why we must all rejoice! A living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ! 
“Rejoice always!” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16. May we all have a blessed Resurrection Day!
Happy Easter!

The Good Thief - Luke 23:43

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” - Luke 23:43

Despite Catholic tradition suggesting that his name was “Dismas,” the man known as “The Good Thief” was a man without a name. There is a certain aura surrounding this criminal that we need to understand in relation to our own salvation. He is nameless, indicating that, like all of God’s elect, we come to Christ in our own anonymity. We aren’t stellar celebrities with name recognition among our fellow sinners. Yes, we are sinners, but all of us are sinners. “ . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . .” - Romans 3:23. We come to God smeared in our own sin, not the sins of others. Like the Good Thief we start off our journey with our own form of impenitence and disbelief, but thanks be to God  - we are regenerated before our physical deaths. The Holy Spirit indwells us and we recognize Jesus Christ as our one way to salvation. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” - John 14:6. And like both thieves, we all have our own crosses to bear. “There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.” - Luke 23:32. Put to death we all shall be, but we can rise from death through saving faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’” - Luke 23:42. Which thief will we follow into eternity?

This Cup - Luke 22:20

 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” - John 18:11

In each of the four accounts of Christ’s arrest in the garden we see Peter’s angst, short temper, and devotion come into play as he swipes his sword at one of those involved. “Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.” John 18:10. Perhaps the most revealing words spoken by Jesus to Peter on the occasion were not His admonition to put away the sword, but His question regarding the cup which God the Father had given to Him.
In both Mark’s and Luke’s account of the Agony In the Garden, the writers recount Christ’s words regarding the cup He was to drink from. “And He said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.’”- Mark 14:36. “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’” - Luke 22:41-42.
In his words “this cup” Christ referred to His crucifixion - His horrendous death at the hands of the religious establishment of Judea and a very misguided and jubilant crowd. But despite the enmity of the world there was a purpose - The love of God for us sinners. “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10.  Christ wasn’t rebuking Peter for using his sword. He was rebuking Peter’s timing! He was correcting Peter as He had done so on many previous occasions. Peter still did not understand the need for Jesus to die. Reconciliation, was Christ’s purpose in “this cup.” Man’s reconciliation with God, despite Peter’s and mankind’s stubbornness. “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” - Romans 5:10.  Christ’s death reconciled us to God; Christ’s life of perfect obedience to God was then imputed to us for our salvation.
This cup was offered up for us by Jesus Christ. His precious blood was shed so that we could find forgiveness for our sins  and salvation in no other Name. May we praise our Lord and Savior forever!

Haters? - Proverbs 6:16-19

These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him. A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. - Proverbs 6:16-19

It is an all too common accusation used today by pop-cultural elitists. It’s generally the first smear used by them to besmirch a person who holds tightly to Christian values and ethics. The word suggests a vileness reserved for only the worst bigots, racists, and narrow-minded fools. Yes, by now we have all heard the word, “hater,” used in some context to anyone who doesn’t go along with the current multicultural diversity mind set. Don’t approve of homosexuality? Hater! Don’t give in to the latest politically correct buffoonery? Hater! Don’t believe in same-sex marriage? Hater! Don’t believe in paying for the able-bodied who will not work? Hater!
It seems that all one has to do to earn the badge of dishonor these days is to raise the voice of reason from the Christian perspective. But it seems apparent that the hate these godless minions accuse others of is the very hate they practice themselves. But we need not worry. Jesus predicted as much. “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” - John 15:18.
We know from what God has spoken that these abominable people are proud lying murderers, who are wicked in heart, quick to sin and quick to cause trouble. As one of my Father’s children, I must plead guilty as charged to their accusations of hatred. For as God hates, so do I. “Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.” - Psalm 139:21-22. Perfect hatred - that’s a hatred based on sound reason and concrete evidence, not simple personal dislike or culturally contrived propaganda. While it is true that we should pray for those who practice criminal, civil, social and cultural evil, we should also pray, as we have been told, to be delivered from the evil one and his minions. “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:13.
Haters? We would be worse than haters were we to refuse our Christian duty to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Ours is a true compassion based upon Christian love for our neighbors and our enemies. When we see someone descending into hell it is our duty to try to reach down and pull them out! That is love, not hatred! May we always and under every circumstance love what God loves and hate what God hates

What Would Lazarus Have Said? - Luke 16:30-31

And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’” - Luke 16:30

    What if Lazarus had returned from the dead? What would he have told the rich man’s brothers?
    Despite our best intentions sometimes we are forced to seriously consider the loss of a friend or member of our family who was, for lack of a more delicate term, “unsaved.” Platitudes are routinely expressed by one and all and far more often than not by well-meaning folks who simply wish to express their sympathy, having had no real knowledge of the deceased’s character or reputation. But here we find ourselves, having known the individual intimately or at least to the degree that we’re certain that the man or woman being eulogized is nothing like the man or woman being described. There is a Latin phrase - “de mortuis nil nisi bonum,”  of the dead say nothing but good. It is in fact so ingrained in our culture that even the most mean-spirited and hateful professional journalists seldom break the rule.
If we, as Christians are asked to say something at the wake or memorial we may be forced to say a few words to the grieving party. We would be perfectly right to express our sympathy for their loss; however, we must never, never repeat the nonsense that their loved one is in “a better place!” That could very well be a bold faced lie. “A better place?” Where? What is it about this “place” that makes it better? Is there more leg room? Do the seats recline? Is there free WIFI? Then, of course, there’s the sage who pronounces that the deceased is “no longer in pain.” My impulse when I hear such a ridiculous statement is to ask, “What makes you so sure that they are in no pain now?”   
    Certainly we cannot know the heart of man. Only God can know what is in a person’s heart. But when the gathering begins to share what a wonderful person so-and so was we may remember a different person; one not as ingratiating as the mythological being they are all describing. That doesn’t mean we are required to correct the record but we must be careful not to feed revisionist history. And any prayers we have must be for the surviving family and friends of the deceased. What kind of prayers should they be?
    Perhaps if Lazarus could return from heaven to speak to the rich man’s brothers we would know exactly what to pray for. Perhaps if Lazarus spoke, he would have declared  “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” - John 14:6. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12. And I would add, “ . . . Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” - 2nd Corinthians 6:2. He would plead with them that if they chose Christ, now, that the offer of eternal life would be extended to them, today! He would cry out to them, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11.  He would tell them “that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” It may certainly be too late for the deceased but it is not too late for the living! Blessed be the name of Jesus Christ forever. That is what I believe he would say.