Mortal vs Venial sins
I had an interesting discussion with a friend this morning on the subject of mortal sin.I know, not exactly the light fare one typically expects either over breakfast or here in the dryer.
But, the discussion has been replaying in my head most of the day.
So, what do you socks think 0f the subject?
My friend was of the opinion . . . or, perhaps, the hope . . . that all sins are forgivable.
I, on the other hand, am pretty sure there are some people who are burning in hell as the result of their mortal sins.
Obviously, there are distinctions to be drawn. There are mortal sins, and there are venial sins.
It is much worse to, say, commit genocide, than it is to . . . oh, I don't know . . . jaywalk?
Anyway, we basically had to agree to disagree, because of my steadfast resolution that people like Hitler crossed a line and are paying for it in perpetuity . . .
OK, off the soapbox . . .
Labels: Bible
posted by wsmv at
4:25 PM
7 Comments:
From the Bible itself, a list of Seven Sins the Lord hates:
These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
~Proverbs 6:16-19
Nothing said about type of punishment, just that the Lord hates them.
I also found this site:
http://www.gotquestions.org/mortal-sin-venial.html
It explains the Catholic Church's connection to the establishment of the great divide between mortal vs venial sins.
Well, I'll have to say that I agree with your friend on this one. All sins are forgivable through repentance, redemption, and the grace of God. Did Hitler seek repentance and redemption? I don't think so--he's pretty much burning in the pit of hell. But here are a few pieces of scripture on sin and repentance:
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ who has been appointed for you" Acts 3:19-20
Repentance involves sorrow for sin, which leads to the pursuit of God; and a distaste and repulsion of sin which leads to the embrace of the beauty of Christ.
"For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Romans 3:23-24
"Beware of thinking lightly of sin...it is sadly true that a Christian may grow by degrees so callous that the sin which once startled him does not alarm him in the least. By degrees we get familiar with sin...if we could but weigh the least sin on the scale of eternity, you would fly from it as a serpent, and abhor the least appearance of evil"--Charles Spurgeon
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14
"True repentance (is an) unfeigned turning unto God and to all goodness, and a serious return from the devil and all evil."--Second Helvetic Confession, 1566, Article XIV, Section 3
"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." 2Cor 7:6-10
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1John 1:9
"He pursued us even to the desolate anguish of the cross, where he bore our sin, guilt, judgement, and death. It takes a hard and stony heart to remain unmoved by love like that. It is more than love. It's proper name is grace, which is love undeserving." --John R. W. Stott
So let us fix our eyes on what is above.
Represent Christ well.
Continually walk in joyful repentance.
Be passionate for Christ.
Run to the Cross.
Well, actually, you're kind of agreeing with us both. I believe in forgiveness thru repentance, etc. But, failure to repent leaves one unreconciled and thus damnable if the offense in question is a mortal sin. For example, the case of the mortal sin suicide, which is in fact what we were discussing. The question was posed about Judas. IMO, he's burning in hell, not for his betraying heart, because he obviously was remourseful about that. Rather, he got his one way ticket because he offed himself, and thus had no possibility to repent of *that* sin, much less enjoy reconciliation. At least, that's the way I see it. We certainly do get into some interesting conversations in our Thursday morning gatherings . . .
1 John 15:6
Since there are not 15 chapters in I John, it is likely you meant John 15:6: If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.?
This is where interpretation is interesting. The image is metaphorical. Men gather branches and burn them. Does it mean that God gathers non-believers, casting them into a fire? Is there only one interpretation? It doesn't say the fire is everlasting?
What does it mean to abide in Him?
What does it mean to seek Him? To love Him with all your heart, mind and soul?
Why would God punish Judas with eternal damnation for a sin Judas committed against himself (suicide)?
Do you believe that suicide is a sin God doesn't forgive? Why?
Oops, yep that was a typo. Should be 1 John 5:16. But also see John 15:6.
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