Jesus said, "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 a sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that" (1 John 5:16, NKJV, emphasis added).
There is a sin leading to death, and the Scripture says not to pray for those who commit it. I believe this is the "unpardonable sin". There is actually no way we could know whether a particular christian has sinned the sin leading to death or not unless by divine revelation from God.
But, the Scripture does give us guidelines and conditions under which a christian can commit a sin leading to death.
The writer of Hebrews said, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the power of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame" (Hebrews 6:5,6, NKJV, emphasis added).
Before a Christian could be found guilty of committing the sin leading to death, all five conditions mentioned in the above verses of Scripture must apply to him.
The conditions are:
1. He has been enlightened about the truth of God's Word. Earlier in his life he came under the conviction of his need for a Savior. It is like the prodigal son when he "came to himself" (Luke 15:17).
2. He has tasted the heavenly gift. Which means he has received salvation - received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Jesus is the Heavenly Gift.
3. He has become partaker of the Holy Spirit. He is more than being born again. He is acquainted with the Holy Spirit through His indwelling Presence (John 14:16,17). In other words, he is baptised in the Holy Spirit and at one time filled with the Holy Spirit in his christian walk.
4. He has tasted the good word of God. This means he is a mature and even experienced christian. This cannot apply to a young or baby christian who still on the "pure milk of the word" (1 Peter 2:2). In other words, babes in Christ could not qualify for committing the unpardonable sin because they have not tasted the "solid meat" of God's Word. They are only on the milk of the Word.
5. He has tasted the powers of the age to come. I believe this means he has the gifts of the Holy Spirit operating in his life and ministry following the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Not many babes in Christ have the gifts of the Holy Spirit operating in their lives.
In my opinion, not many believers could qualify to be guilty of committing a sin "leading to death". I can only think of one person I know personally who can qualify and fulfill all the five conditions of committing the unpardonable sin. But, there is no way we can judge. His destiny is in the Hands of God. For the purpose of illustration, I share this with you.
He is a pastor/evangelist who is involved in the ministry of the "Prosperity Gospel" for at least six years.
Qualifications of the "Prosperity Gospel" preacher:
He had been enlightened; he knew his need for a Savior. He had tasted of the Heavenly Gift because he was born again and baptised in the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ had been his Savior and Lord for more than 25 years. This fulfills the conditions 1, 2 and 3. He is a matured christian and in the ministry of preacher/pastor for many years. He has tasted the solid meat of the Word and with gifts of the Holy Spirit operating in his ministry. This fulfills the conditions 4 and 5.
His "prosperity" doctrine
1. Christians must tithe regularly and accurately. Otherwise they will not prosper. They failed in their business because they fail to tithe accurately - exactly 10% of their income.
2. Christians must give a "memorial offering" regularly to the pastors of his church. Otherwise they will not prosper. According to him the "memorial offering" is similar to the fragrant oil that Mary offered to Jesus (Matthew 26:13). His other example is Cornelius' prayer and alms (Acts 10:4). The Lord will always remember the "memorial offering" and grants favour and blessings to christians who give generously. According to him this offering is about twice the amount of tithing.
3. His church is called "The apostolic financial centre" in his city.
4. Whenever he needs money or there is a need to fulfill any financial commitment, he will pray and Jesus will not fail to tell him what stocks and shares to buy. Church members who are interested to know are invited to see him privately to get a word from the Lord on what shares to buy.
5. He said 2007 and 2008 are difficult years and people will experience hyper-inflation and "stag-flation". Every chirstian must "invests" in stocks and shares wisely now.
6. He enjoys high living - He lives in 5-star hotels and eats 5-star food during his mobile ministry.
7. He said he will continue to preach his version of "prosperity gospel" even if most churches have rejected his ministry.
I think we have enough!
Finally, please read Hebrews 10:26 - 29
"For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectationof judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of Grace?" (NKJV, emphasis added).
In my opinion, all preachers of the "prosperity gospel" have insulted the Spirit of Grace!
No comments:
Post a Comment