Here's a most precious promise tucked away where you may not expect to find it:
(a) It's in 1 John 5:16:
(b) "If any man [person] see his [her] brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and He [the Lord] will give him life for them that sin not unto death."
(c) Very encouraging news!
(d) But there is a proviso involved. There is only one kind of sin that one can ask help for: a "sin which is not unto death."
(e) How can we tell the difference when we pray?
(f) "The sin which is unto death" is obviously the unpardonable sin; John does not give hope that a person committing that sin can be saved at last.
(g) We had better stay on the safe side: accept every person as the purchase of the sacrifice of Christ; do not give up hope for anyone no matter how discouraging the prospect seems!
(h) In an unlikely spot in Scripture we find a message of great encouragement: "Cast thy bread upon the waters ... Give a portion to seven, and also to eight. ... In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening [when you become old] withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good" (Ecclesiastes 11:1, 2, 6). That's a success promise!
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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