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Title: Theology by Logic and Consistency
Today is the final sermon for 2009, and I’m afraid to say that I come to you today with no less than a theological whopper of a problem. I read six commentaries, searched the interned, did research, prayed, and spat at my computer monitor before I finally resolved this issue for myself…and still, this morning, all I can offer is my best effort in regard to my solution to this problem. I am going to earn my keep today, I guarantee you that, my friends.
Let me also be transparent with you this morning in confessing that I was shocked, absolutely shocked, at the answer I came to regarding this text. Once I came to this conclusion I tried to come up with several other answers I liked more, that seemed to “make more sense” but every other direction that I came up with on my own, or read about from other theologians had HUGE theological holes in their explanation. (Just to be clear, a theological hole is created when what you believe about one verse simply doesn’t make sense with the rest of scripture.)
Consistency is key in your hermeneutic.
Anyone want to know what’s got me so worked up this morning?
(read ..14-17)
Step One: Define the two types of sin.
- Sin NOT leading to death: Sin that is forgiven.
- How is it forgiven:
- blood of Christ and POSSIBLY:
- recognition/admission (by self or by “a brother”)
- asking for forgiveness
- repenting from said sin
- blood of Christ and POSSIBLY:
- How is it forgiven:
- Sin leading to death:
Option One: Blasphemy of the Holy Sprit
Matthew 12:31-32: “Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven.”
Houston, we have a problem: If we see “sin leading to death” simply as blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, then how in the world can we accept what John next writes when he says, “I do not say that he should pray about that.”???
Are we not to pray for those who are rejecting Christ? How is that evangelistic?
Even if we use Matthew 7:6 as our proof text: Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
We still have HUGE problems. Are we then to share the Gospel once, and if someone rejects is, are we to stop praying for that person???
I believe God saves individual people, and I certainly don’t have the wisdom to know who the elect are! I’m told to preach to the world, not to decide who’s worthy of hearing the gospel.
Option Two: Sin leading to death is a sin committed by a brother, and God instantly kills that person and brings them home to him.
So, Pastor Ben, you are saying that there are sins that believers commit, God decides he’s not going to contend with them, kills them, and brings them to glory, with their salvation in tact?
That is exactly my what I am saying. That is exactly what I believe the answer to this riddle is.
Now, if I’m going to make such a bold claim, I better have some scriptural evidence to back it up, right?
I’ve got three excellent examples:
1. 2 Samuel 6:6-11 Uzzah and the Ark
And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; [1] and there he died by the ark of God. And David was displeased, because the Lord had made [2] a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and said, How shall the ark of the Lord come to me? So David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. And the ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the Lord blessed Obededom, and all his household.
- I Cor. 11:28-31 Misuse of the Lord’s Supper
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner[a] eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s[b] body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
- Acts 5: 1-11 Annanias and Sapphira
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”
She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
Were they saved?
- Peter never claims them dead, that was God’s doing alone.
- They were part of the church
- They were properly buried.
- The language suggests they were part of the brotherhood of believers. Not outsiders.
The reason option two Must be answer is because only them do John’s word’s make sense “I do not say that you should pray about that.” Do you think Peter prayed about Annanaias and Sapphira after God judged them? No. God had made his decision.
What’s my biggest piece of evidence in connecting these stories with our passage today? The word “brother.”
John is talking about a brother sinning “leading to death”. John never calls non believers “brothers” so this can’t be about an outsider. It must be about a brother or sister in Christ.
So what is the point?
- God can, and will, judge even believers instantly.
- We are to keep each other in check from sin.
- We are to pray for everyone.
- …BUT there is no sense in praying for someone whom God has already judged.