Fellowship and Relationship
(This post actually deals with numerous issues including OSAS, two kinds of life, the difference between fellowship and relationship, and why Christians are sick and cannot receive their healing. They are all intertwined and so the post is a little long.)
A theological battle has been raging in the church for hundreds of years. This is the battle over the concept of the "security of the believer". Some call it "once saved, always saved".
Many years ago, I worked the evening shift at a local plant. I would get off work after midnight, and because I had no vehicle, I would walk a mile home in the dark. It was during one of these walks that the Lord began to speak to me about the difference between relationship and fellowship.
There are two kinds of life (and death) spoken of in the Bible. There is physical life (and death) , and spiritual life (and death) . Physical life is life in the body. When you die physically, your spirit leaves your body, for "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord". Spiritual death means you have the fallen nature of the devil in your spirit. All men are spiritually dead from the day they are born. When a person is born again, that old dead spirit is removed, and the living new spirit of Christ is placed in you!
There are two kinds of sin for the new testament Christian. There is "sin unto death", and "sin not unto death". The sin unto death is the sin "after the similitude of Adam", that causes one to die spiritually, and results in a loss of relationship with the Father. Sin not unto death is sin that does not cause you to die spiritually, but does cause you to lose fellowship, and may eventually result in a judgment against you, leading to physical death.
1 John 5
16 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.
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
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.
Let me paraphrase and emphasize these verses for clarities sake:
1 John 5 (Hobie paraphrase)
16 If any man see his brother sin a sin [which is] not unto (spiritual) death, he shall ask, and he shall give him (physical) life for them that sin not unto (spiritual) death. There is sin unto (spiritual) death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is sin not unto (spiritual) death.
With this, you can see the two kinds of sin, life, and death being discussed.
The reason I am bringing this out, is to show you that you do not lose your eternal life with every sin you commit. All unrighteousness is sin, and has a price. But that price is not always spiritual death. Most sin is sin not unto spiritual death. This sort of sin causes a break in fellowship with God, but not relationship. To fellowship means to partake of the cup together. It means to share of food with each other at the same table. When you sin a sin not unto spiritual death, you remain born again but you will be out of fellowship with God, and not be able to partake of the benefits of His table. You must restore fellowship with Him at once. Failure to repent and restore fellowship can lead to mental and physical sickness, problems in your life and family, and even physical death!
The above passage from 1 John shows that we should pray for our brother who we see has sinned a sin not unto spiritual death. If we pray for Him, our intercession on his behalf can actually save him from physical death! But John goes on to say that we should not pray for the man who sins a sin unto spiritual death. To do so is a waste of time. The one who has sinned a sin unto spiritual death is spiritually dead, and beyond the reach of our prayers to restore him. He has cast off Jesus and God and denied the Gospel. He is a child of satan again, and we cannot overrule his decision by our prayers anymore than we could pray to have any sinner born again against their will.
Lets Look at a few more passages to bring out and confirm this truth further.
Look at what Paul said about the sowing of the flesh, and where we would reap the corruption:
Galatians 6
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
"...he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption.."
You are going to pay for unconfessed sins of the flesh by the corruption of your flesh. This is why John said to pray for those who you see sinning sins of the flesh. You can save them from that corruption. The words say that the Lord will "...give them life ...".(1 John 5:16)
Look at another of Paul's references:
1 Corinthians 5
1 It is reported commonly [that there is] fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, [concerning] him that hath so done this deed, {judged: or, determined}
4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Here we have a man who was sinning a grievous sin. He was engaging in sexual relations with his father's wife (it does not specify if it was actually his own mother, it may have been a step mother). Could this man still be "saved", or born again?!! Paul states that the man is "among you", opposed to being "among the Gentiles". Paul further says that the man "might be taken away from among you", showing that the man had not yet been taken from among them. But the main point here is that the man was to be "delivered unto satan for the destruction of the flesh...". Why? So "that the spirit be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus".!!! This man's spirit was still saved, but because he was in danger of eventually denying Christ in preference to his sin, it was better that he be delivered to satan; not for the destruction of his spirit, but for the destruction of his flesh. It would be better that he die physically while in a saved condition than to continue to live in, and be hardened by sin, and eventually deny the Lord.
We see similar wording in to Timothy:
1 Timothy 1
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
These men were actually into some sort of false doctrine, and were in the same danger as the above mentioned fornicator because of it.
Look at something Jesus said:
Luke 13
1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Note that Jesus said these men were not sinners beyond anyone else. He also says that the tragedy they suffered was a result of their sin. He also said that if we do not repent of our sin, we could likewise perish. The "likewise" perish was physical death. Nothing is said about hell or the condition of their spirits. If fact, Jesus specifically says they were no worse than anyone else. It is conceivable that there may have been righteous men among them! But Jesus said that if we do not repent of our sin, we would suffer, and even lose our physical lives. "Ye shall all likewise perish", i.e. you will suffer physical death. Yes, there is a hell, and there will unfortunately be many in it. But not all sin condemns you to hell. Not all sin causes you to lose your spiritual life.
I am trying to bring you to the place where you see the love of the Father for you. The prodigal son who left his Father and ended up eating pig food never ceased to be his Father's son. When he finally repented and went home, the Father was waiting for him with open arms. When we sin, we leave the banqueting table of the Father and eat pigs food. Sin has it's own punishments. The Father waits for you, hunting your silhouette on the horizon. He is not angry with you, nor will He cast you out for your weakness. He waits for your return. (Jesus, however, may have a few words with you about your conduct toward Himself and the Father, if you will humble yourself and listen! This is the chastisement that you need if you are to learn how to conduct yourself in the household of God.)
I want you to understand that He is on your side. He wants you to be victorious and overcome. He is cheering you on, and moving at every opportunity you give Him to act on your behalf. His is not waiting with a big flyswatter, drawn back ready to smack you at the first sign of weakness. He is not against you. He is like any earthly father who watches his children grow up. They fall, and pick themselves up, only to fall again. The father is there to help them up and heal their wounds. But he cannot walk for them. He cannot learn the lessons for them. He is saddened when they fail. He is disappointed when they fall short. But he does not turn his back on them. He does not disown them when they need him the most. Our Heavenly Father is infinitely better than any earthly father.
What does this have to do with overcoming sin and never sinning again? You need to understand that your Heavenly Father is on your side, even when you sin a sin not unto death. He is there ready to forgive and accept you back into fellowship with Him. He wants you seated at the table with Him where you belong! Sinning a sin not unto death breaks your fellowship, but does not break your relationship.
DO NOT LET FAILURE KEEP YOU AWAY FROM THE THRONE OF GRACE!
It is when you fail that you need Him the most!!!
Much of the teaching today has you running to the woods to hide like a servant who go caught with his hands in the coin box. It is when you sin that you need Him! It is when you sin that you have need of His mercy, not when you are righteous!
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
He is telling you to come boldly unto the throne of grace when you have sinned! You do not need grace, mercy, and help when you are walking in the light of righteousness! This is the place of those who have sinned, and are in need of mercy and grace. This is a departure from common theology. Most teach that when you sin, you are lost, and cannot approach God. This is saying that not only can you approach, but you can approach BOLDLY! God is on your side, and wants you to come to Him when you fail. Do not hide your face from Him, which would be the natural thing to do.
There are two things we are dealing with: relationship and fellowship. Sin not unto death breaks fellowship with God, and results in loss of "physical life" blessings. Sin unto death breaks relationship with God, and results in loss of eternal life.
If you sin a sin not unto death, you should immediately repent and confess your sin. This restores your fellowship and restores your access to the "physical life" benefits. Realize that God is on your side, and wants you restored