Thanks for the verse, 1 John 5:16. My Bible footnote says that this is talking about physical death, the difference being that all sin leads to spiritual death, but not necessarily physical death. Doesn't the smallest sin make us unfit for heaven? If not, how does God draw the line? Does God really excuse those who are stained by sin, even if it is small?
One funny thing (albeit completely off topic), is that when I looked this up I stumbled onto the following:
1 John 5:13 : I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life. (emphasis added)
I love verses like this. :)
This [the issue of God "leaving" us for at least a time] is probably an issue of semantics. When we say that God leaves us because of mortal sin, it means we no longer have sanctifying grace.
I hope it's just semantics, but I am unsure. I answered this much more fully on another very recent post, which I'm sure I pinged you to (if it wasn't actually to you :) Please let me know if I am mistaken.
Say what? Let's look at these verses again...
"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. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death." 1 John 5:16-17
Your bible footnotes don't make sense. Which sin leads to physical death? That is contrived. What I find interesting about your comments is that Christ supposedly covers over our sins, imputing justice to us - and now, your bible tells you that even the smallest sin leads to spiritual death? All sin is unrighteousness - but smaller sins do not separate us from God entirely. Otherwise, we'd be in big trouble. From what I gather from our previous posts, you don't think our sins separate us from God at all - and now, even the slightest sin kills our soul?
1 John 5:13 : I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life. (emphasis added)
What things is John writing? Perhaps you should consider reading 1 John quickly. He talks over and over about obeying the commandments. THAT is how we know we are saved and have eternal life... For example:
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments" 1 John 5:2-3
Regards