1 John 5:17
Memory Verse
All sin has a quality of unrighteousness, and there is a sin not facing death (1 John 5:17).
Unrighteousness is a broader term. It covers trespass, which a decision in the mind to do wrong. It also covers sin, an act of lawlessness, and transgression, a violation of law. Not all sin results in the physical death of a grace believer. However, there is a sin that leads to death. Therefore, the grace believer should put to death the practices of the flesh and separate from them in order to live (Romans 8:13).
Sin is an action (1 John 3:4). It also includes failing to do what is known to be proper (James 4:17). Unrighteousness includes both mental decisions and actions. Sin always happens outside the body, so what is in the mind is different (1 Corinthians 6:18). James 1:14–15 explains how sin develops: A temptation is offered, the person accepts the desire, and thus conception happens. And then chooses to fulfill it, which births sin. If nothing stops this, the decision turns into sin. There is a difference between trespass and sin (Ephesians 2:1). Adam’s sin caused physical death (Romans 5:12). His trespass caused spiritual separation from God (Romans 5:17).
Do not let poor translations of Matthew 5:27–30 mislead you about the truth. Sin is an action, not merely a thought or a decision to do wrong. A man who glances at a woman for the purpose of committing adultery scandalizes himself. This passage does not say he sins because the act was not committed; it says the thought occurs in his heart. The man offends the moral code in his heart. Context is important. Jesus spoke here to Jews about the Kingdom of the Heavens, not to grace believers. Applying this to a Christian would be like saying the Church must offer animal sacrifices according to Mosaic law. Today, God is not counting trespasses (2 Corinthians 5:19). In the Millennial Kingdom, Israel will have a new heart, righteousness will rule, and Christ will not allow those who practice lawlessness or scandalize to remain in His kingdom (Matthew 13:41).
Unrighteousness is a bigger term. It includes mental activity, sin, and actions that are not sinful but are still unrighteous. Therefore, it is wise for the grace believer to learn how to set his mind to prevent unrighteous thoughts from taking root. When the mind is focused on things above, the Christian can tell which thoughts are temptations from one of his three enemies and can reject them by using the right defense (Colossians 3:1–3). This requires walking by the Spirit. This means seeking out and fulfilling the desires from the Holy Spirit, so that the desires from the flesh are never worked out to sin (Galatians 5:16–17).