What Does Sin Unto Death Mean?

1 John 5:16-17 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
   This verse might seem confusing at first; especially in light 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” On one side, we find that if we were to sin, we have forgiveness available to us, and now we see a sin that has no recourse. What gives? You may find yourself asking, did I commit such a sin? Here’s a clue to our dilemma: if you’re concerned about it, you didn’t! Obviously other Scripture is required to open this up. Let’s start out with this statement, and then unpack this: it’s not a question of what sin; rather, it’s a question of what’s behind it. It’s a heart issue.
   Hebrews 10:26-31 For if we sin wilfully (deliberately) after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite (insult; treat with reproach; outrage) unto the Spirit of grace? For we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
   In short, the sin is deliberate because someone has turned away to God, and outright despises the Blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. What does this sound like? Mark 3:28-29 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. He is intentional  about sinning; unlike a repentant believer who has blown it. Jude describes them this way: “These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots” (Jude 1:12). Notice it says, “twice dead.” Prior to Christ we were all counted as dead in our trespasses, but alive once we received Him. This does not reference anyone who is of the world and has never received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
   Earlier it was mentioned that if you sinned in such a fashion, you wouldn’t care. Why? Your state would be a place of no repentance. You would absolutely refuse to confess your sins, much less repent of them. You could pray for such an individual until you were blue in the face, but they would not change.
   Those who belong to God do not practice sin. It’s not in their nature; hence, a sin not unto death, which goes back to 1 John 1:9
   1 John 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
   1John 3:6 Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him.
   1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God (read the entire chapter for full context; be sure to read Romans 6 as well).

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