1 John 5:14 - 17

We are getting close to the end here in 1 john. So today we will pick up in verse 14 and again we will be looking at some very foundational verses, regarding, prayer and answered prayer, and the “unforgivable sin.”

Read v 14 - 17:

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

Verse 14 is pretty awesome when you meditate on it. The simple truth that the God, the Creator of all there is, hears you when you pray! Key here is what does according to His will mean. Let’s look at it from the Greek.

The first word we want to look at is confidence. It is the Greek word parrēsia. It means in this context - free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance.

The confidence we have is continuous. We always have it.

Next is the word anything. It is the Greek word tis, Meaning any - man, thing, or thing at all.

Now we get to the key here, His will. It is the word thelēma. It means: will, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure.

Which begs the question, how does one determine if they are praying according to God’s will?

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One more word of wisdom from Psalms;

Psalm 131 NKJV

A Song of Ascents. Of David. 1 Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. 2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, hope in the Lord From this time forth and forever.

The bottom line is trust God. We might think we know but He does know.

v15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

The word know here is in the perfect tense, meaning a completed act that the effects continue. It is stressing the inner confidence and assurance we have as believers.

Whatever is similar to the anything in verse 14. The answer is wide open to any possibility.

Verse 16 & 17 One of the toughest passages to interpret.

If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.

All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

First we half to notice that John is talking about a brother who is sinning, not an unbeliever. Note we are to pray for them and they are to pray for themselves.

The question here is what is a sin that leads to death ?

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