Welcome back to a new week on the podcast.

This is a really good question from a listener named Danny.

Hello, Pastor John, and thank you for this podcast.

My question is this.

What is the sin that does not lead to death in 1 John 5, verses 16 and 17?

Can you explain the difference between a sin that leads to death and a sin that doesn't?

Well, let me venture an answer in summary form and then drop back and give the foundations for it from the context of 1 John and the wider New Testament teaching.

Here's my answer.

The sin that does not lead to death, that is eternal death, which is what I think John means, damnation.

The sin that does not lead to damnation is any sin that we commit, which we are by grace capable of truly confessing and repenting from.

That's my answer.

And the reason I put it like that is because of what 1 John 1, 9 says and Hebrews 12, 16 says.

So 1 John 1, 9 says, if we confess our sins, he doesn't specify any particular kind.

Just if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanses from all unrighteousness.

So that's a very sweeping and glorious and wonderful and precious promise.

If you can confess your sin authentically, agree with God that it is sin, it stinks.

I hate it and turn from it, fight against it.

You will be forgiven.

However, Hebrews 12, 16 says talking about Esau in the Old Testament and what happened to him.

See to it that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.

For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected.

For he found no place for repentance, though he sought it with tears.

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