Editor's Note: Welcome to a New Year of BIBLE INSIGHT. Please note that we have changed our banner scripture to Nehemiah 8:8. This passage reflects the purpose of all the writers whose work we use in this bulletin. It is a grave responsibility to "give the sense" of the Gospel of Christ and can only be guided through study of the Word and prayer. Pray for our writers and our editor.
With a New Year begins a new study. Beginning with this issue and continuing for the following 21 weeks we will be studying Psalms 119. To assist us in this undertaking we will print the entire text of the Psalm in eight verse segments, as well as the entire text of the JFB commentary, first published in 1871. The commentary is now in the public domain and can be copied for our use.
PSALM 119 - Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
Ps 119:1-176. This celebrated Psalm has several peculiarities. It is divided into twenty-two parts or stanzas, denoted by the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza contains eight verses, and the first letter of each verse is that which gives name to the stanza. Its contents are mainly praises of God's Word, exhortations to its perusal, and reverence for it, prayers for its proper influence, and complaints of the wicked for despising it. There are but two verses (Ps 119:122, 132) which do not contain some term or description of God's Word. These terms are of various derivations, but here used, for the most part, synonymously, though the use of a variety of terms seems designed, in order to express better the several aspects in which our relations to the revealed word of God are presented. The Psalm does not appear to have any relation to any special occasion or interest of the Jewish Church or nation, but was evidently "intended as a manual of pious thoughts, especially for instructing the young, and its peculiar artificial structure was probably adopted to aid the memory in retaining the language."
ALEPH - Ps. 119:1-8
1 BLESSED are the undefiled [literally, "complete,"
perfect, or sincere (compare Ps 37:37).] in [or, "of"]
the way [course of life], who walk [act] in the law [According
to it (compare Lu 1:6). Law--from a word meaning "to teach,"
is a term of rather general purport, denoting the instruction
of God's Word.] of the Lord.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies [The word of God
is so called, because in it He testifies for truth and against
sin.], and that seek him [that is, a knowledge of Him, with desire
for conformity to His will.] with the whole heart.
3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. [The course
He reveals as right.]
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts [Are those directions
which relate to special conduct, from a word meaning "to
inspect."] diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes [Or ordinances,
positive laws of permanent nature. Both words originally denote
rather positive than moral laws, such as derive force from the
divine appointment, whether their nature or the reasons for them
are apprehended by us or not.]
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto [Or regard
carefully as to their whole purport.] all thy commandments. [Or
institutions. The term is comprehensive, but rather denotes fundamental
directions for conduct, both enjoining and forbidding.]
7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have
learned thy righteous judgments. [Rules of conduct formed by God's
judicial decisions; hence the wide sense of the word in the Psalms,
so that it includes decisions of approval as well as condemnation.]
8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. [Recognizes
the need of divine grace.]
Sin Unto Death - Part 1 by Doy Moyer
(http://www.focusmagazine.org)
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death,
he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit
sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do
not say that he should make request for this. All unrighteousness
is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.
(1 John 5:16-17)
Here is a passage that has been troubling for many people, including myself. It seems oddly worded, and also appears to make a distinction in certain types of sin. Others, thinking there is a specific sin involved like blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, may be afraid that they have committed this sin and therefore cannot go to heaven. Thus, I wish to offer a few observations about the passage.
Context of 1 John
John wrote to defend Jesus against false prophets and give confidence to those who might have been shaken by the errors being propagated. Gnosticism was already on the rise, and their doctrines encompassed at least two significant errors dealt with by John: 1) a denial of Jesus coming in the flesh, and 2) the idea that the purity of the spirit could not be tarnished by deeds of the body; therefore they could practice immorality without it being "sin." Ultimately, following such doctrines would destroy the fellowship that Christians have with God.
Themes running throughout the book include the nature of Jesus, fellowship, true knowledge of God and salvation (as opposed to the false knowledge of the Gnostics), abiding in Christ, being born of God, love, walking in the light, and the true nature of sin.
Chapter five specifically speaks of being born of God and, therefore, overcoming the world by faith. We can know that we love God's children by the fact that we love God and keep His commandments. But our faith and obedience to God (hence, fellowship) is rooted in our belief that Jesus is the Son of God. God has given sufficient testimony of this, and to reject it is to call God a liar. If we do receive His testimony, though, we have the promise of eternal life.
It is through the things that were written that we can know we have eternal life (5:13). And this knowledge gives us confidence in God's promises, and in His ability and willingness to hear and answer our prayers (vs. 15).
One of the repeated points is that "no one who is born
of God sins" (5:18; 3:9). "Sins," in the present
tense, indicates that one who is born of God does not continue
in sin (not that the child of God is flawlessly perfect). Thus,
if one flaunts the commands of God, then he is no true child of
God.
It is in this context that we find the statements regarding the
sin unto death.
Views of the Sin
There are various views regarding what this sin is. It is either a specific sin, or it is sin in general. Here is a survey of some of the views that have been proposed:
1. It is the sin of murder. John pointed out that hatred is tantamount to murder; and murder is a sin which leads to the death penalty. Thus, one should not pray that a murderer be released from the death penalty.
2. It is the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matt.
12:22-32). Due to the Lord's language that the blasphemy against
the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, some have surmised that
this is the sin unto death.
3. It is a special form of sin which God brings judgment upon
immediately. For example, God's punishment of Ananias and Saphira
in Acts 5 might be such a sin.
4. It is a presumptuous sin, committed with full knowledge by the believer. The sin not unto death is a sin committed in ignorance, and for which one will be forgiven.
5. It is the sin of apostasy. The apostate has heard the truth and even embraced it, then renounces what he knows to be true. This is similar to Hebrews 6 and the apostasy described there. In this view, the Gnostics had departed from truth and accepted a teaching that would condemn them. Thus, it is impossible to bring them back.
6. It is a sin persisted in, with a refusal to repent or confess it. Once repented of, it is no longer unto death.
[Editor's Note: Bro. Moyer will conclude his thoughts in next week's issue.]
Short Exhort - Written and/or Compiled by David J. Riggs
(http://www.public.usit.net/driggs/)
"But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned." (Titus 3:9-11)
Let us never wrestle with a pig because both of us will get dirty and the pig likes it.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
GOSPEL MEETING- The Church of Christ at Beverly Shores will
be hosting a series of preaching services during the week of January
14th, Sunday through Friday. Jere Frost of Merritt Island,
Florida will be speaking at each service.
On Sunday, Brother Frost will speak to the teenagers and young
adults during the 9:30 AM Bible Study and then will speak before
the entire congregation at the 10:30 AM and 6:00 PM services.
Preaching services will continue each weekday evening at 7:30
PM. Please come and bring someone.