Mortal Sins (F.E. Pasche)
"Brethren, be not children in understanding; howbeit, in malice be ye children, but in understanding he men." 1 Cor. 14,, 20.
Sins of weakness are committed only by believers, mortal sins by unbelieving and godless people. Sins of weakness, or venial sins, are done by the children of God against their will; mortal sins, or sins of malice, are committed by unbelievers intentionally and deliberately. True believers daily fight against the sins of weakness; mortal sins are wilful sins. All sins of weakness are forgiven for Jesus’ sake, because the sinner did not lose his faith; but mortal sins are committed by unbelievers and are not forgiven them. Note how St. John speaks of these two kinds of sin. Speaking of sins of weakness, he says Christians still have sin; speaking of mortal sins, he says a man commits them, that is, deliberately. Speaking of sins of weakness, he includes Christians and says: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1, 8. Speaking of sins of malice, he excludes the Christians and says: “He that committeth sin is of the devil; whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.” 1 John 3, 8. 9. The Savior says the same: “ Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whoso ever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” John 8, 34. When a Christian sins, the devil, the world, and his own flesh deceive him and use him as their tool; but as soon as he sees his sin, he feels sorry for it and pleads with David: “Keep back Thy servant from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me.” But when a man commits sin, that is, knowingly, willingly, he is no Christian, or no longer a Christian; he is of the devil; he is the slave of sin.
When the Holy Ghost sees you sin without and against your will, he will not depart from you; but if he sees you do it wilfully, He will be grieved and leave you. Just as a friend will forgive you if you hurt him accidentally, but will withdraw from you if he learns that you plan evil against him.
Prayer.
O almighty God and benignant Father, I return thanks to Thee for having again graciously kept me in body and soul from all harm and ill. Whatever sin I have committed, with heart, tongue, or otherwise, against Thee and Thy holy commandments, forgive, I beseech Thee, according to Thy loving-kindness and for sake me not, whom Thou hast bought with a price, with the precious blood and by the bitter Passion of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
