I was happy to see Murray's interpretation recalled in this thread. It reminded me how far off was the interpretation I grew up knowing.

In the Baptist church I was a member of, the "sin unto death" for the believer was to sin against the Holy Spirit. But, as many times as I asked what constituted that kind of sin, no one would (or could?) tell me. So I was hopelessly ignorant and fretted many times about the sins in my life as a believer, unsure whether I'd actually committed a sin unto death! Today, of course, I realize that there are many other things I was taught as a Baptist that deprived me of the assurance of my salvation. I did not understand or even know about the fact that it was God Who was going to enable my perseverance, and that it was not my own work!

By the way, I always had uneasy feelings when we'd sing the line "But I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day." It just didn't jive with this notion that I could commit an unpardonable sin- wasn't God going to help me avoid that sin?!!

How long I walked ignorance, though reborn, because the doctrines I learned as a youth robbed God of His sovreignty and ability to accomplish His own will for and in me!

Anyway- it was such a blessing and relief to have the truth illuminated to me through the Reformed interpretation of Scriptures. I no longer worry about my unworthiness, my inability to live a sinless life, etc. I have been set FREE, and now I'm in bondage in a wonderful, new way.

Just wanted to testify a little.....
HC