LONG GONE: DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN SINS

I remember the first time my dad taught me how to change the oil in my car. He wen through the importance of changing the oil regularly, of using the right oil, the right levels, and the right filter. He walked through removing the oil cap, the drain plug, and the filter. He told me about using a drain pan to catch the old oil. He told me how to use the funnel so as not to spill oil on the motor.

I had an idea of how to change the oil, but it wasn’t until we got on the ground and used the wrench to remove the drain plug that it began to make sense. Once I removed the filter (using a screw driver and hammer) I really learned what it meant to change it. After finishing, I knew how to change the oil. It moved from simply being informational to being practical.

As we have seen in this epistle, the Christian life combines knowledge with life. Our knowledge of God and His Word helps us live like God wants us to live. I did not really know how to change the oil until I actually changed the oil. Now, our passage before us addresses sin, but not in an informational-only way. It is a practical application of what sin is and how we deal with it as believers.

Think about it like this:

THIS PASSAGE FOCUSES ON CHRISTIANS-his brother

THIS PASSAGE DEALS WITH ACTUAL SIN-sees his brother committing a sin

THIS PASSAGE FOCUSES ON RESTORATION-God will give him life

THIS PASSAGE DISTINGUISHES BETWEEN SINS AND THEIR LIFESTYLES-sins that do not lead to death…sin that leads to death

THIS PASSAGE REVEALS WHAT SIN IS

APPLICATION

THIS PASSAGE FOCUSES ON CHRISTIANS-his brother (1 John 5:16)

One of the most misused verses deals with judging, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matt. 7:1). When we hear this verse it is usually in connection with someone having an issue with something I am doing or thinking.

Particularly in our own American context, we value personal liberty. In many instances we believe each individual has the right to pursue their interests in whatever way they deem best, though we usually limit that freedom when it comes to how it affects others.

We do not like other people telling us when we are in the wrong. But we, as Christians, live life differently. Rather than living by the old adage, “To each his own,” we live life together. We keep an eye on one another. As Paul encourages the Galatians, Galatians 6:1,

Galatians 6:1 ESV

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

The Christian life is about Christians. While we enjoy our individual relationships with the Triune God, we live in community. It is vitally important, as we learned early on in life from Hebrews 10:25.

There is a connection between this thought (Christians living in Community, i.e., the Church) and our passage this morning. We are dealing with the Church in this passage, and in particular our responsibilities to one another concerning sin in our lives. We will deal with sins in a moment, but this is a key concept in the Church.

When we see a fellow church member sinning, we have the biblical obligation to intercede. This comes at the heels of our sermon Assured Prayer, connecting the ask with our passage this morning. Intercede, pray for them! Pray that God will help them. Follow Paul’s guidelines from Galatians 6:1, but help your brother or sister out!

THIS PASSAGE DEALS WITH ACTUAL SIN-sees his brother committing a sin

Now, as we just discussed, we have a biblical obligation to help each other our when we see them committing a sin. But, as I mentioned, we must realize this involves actual sin, not perceived sin or even supposed sin. Now, what do I mean by this?

I am reminded of my children. They are excellent reporters when one child is not following the rules. In fact, they have been experts in preemptive reporting. That is, when they think their brother or sister is about to violate mom and dad’s rules they come and inform us.

Many times when we hear that we are obligated to intercede for a brother or sister, we assume that this applies to any areas that we think in which they may sin. This is not the case. We are responsible to help when we see a brother or sister committing sin.

Now, there is much that could be said about preventive intervention. We work together to grow in our Christlikeness. This has a way of minimizing our sins. But it is when our brothers and sisters in that we are responsible to pray and intercede for them.

One more point before moving on, the idea is not tied up to one individual sin. If we see our brother speeding, we do not have a prayer meeting and intercession for them. I do not mean to minimize sin, as John will tell us later that all wrongdoing is sin. However, John is dealing with habits. We discussed this in chapter 2, but this idea deals with habitual sin, not individual sin. But back to our main point.

Do not be like our children who report before rules are violated.

THIS PASSAGE FOCUSES ON RESTORATION-God will give him life

So, we see our responsibility to intercede for our brothers and sisters when they are sinning. We also see that John points out that it is actual sin, not perceived sin. But why? We intercede for restoration. We pray for restoration which includes:

Prayer for acknowledgement of sin-1:10

When we pray, we ask that God would help them acknowledge their sins. Sin is characterized as deceitful. Jeremiah 17:9 describes our hearts as deceitful. Additional, in our passage in Matthew about judging, Jesus refers to the “beams” in our eyes. We are excellent observers of others’ sins, but horrible when it comes to our own.

The deceitfulness of sin can be likened to body odor. We notice it in others quite easily. Yet, we often fail to notice when we stink. We can pray that they will realize they are sinning (and pray for protection as well, see Gal. 6:1).

Prayer for reliance on Christ for forgiveness- 2:1

When we become aware of our sin, we often turn to other people or things to provide freedom from guilt. We turn to penance, we turn to good works, we turn to service projects. We turn to everything besides the One who provides true forgiveness and healing. When we pray for those in sin, we need to pray that they will turn to Christ for true forgiveness.

Prayer for continual growth in holiness- 3:3

As we see them acknowledge and confess their sins, we can extend our prayers toward their growth in holiness (i.e., sanctification). As John describes in 3:1, we will purify ourselves as we realize how pure God is. That is, we will grow in holiness.

Think about a plumber. They go to trade school and develop the foundations of plumbing, but once they are certified they begin to enhance their skills. They come across different problems and are challenged. Their skills are sharpened and they grow in their knowledge of plumbing. It is similar to our growth in holiness. When we face a sin that seems to defeat us, we need to pray that God will grow us in holiness.

There are other prayers that we can pray, but this offers us a few ways that we can focus our prayers for restoration.

THIS PASSAGE DISTINGUISHES BETWEEN SINS AND THEIR LIFESTYLES-sins that do not lead to death…sin that leads to death

This point is debated among Bible believing Christians. There are a few ways to look at this, three in particular. One way to view this passage is that it refers to different types of sins. The Old Testament distinguishes between unintentional and intentional sins (see Lev. 4:2 and Deut. 17:12 for examples). Some view this as “mortal” or “venial” sins.

Another way to view this is as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Drawing upon passages like Matthew 12:32, some view this “sin that leads to death” as that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

A final view is that it reveals an apostatizing heart. By apostatizing it means an unrepentant heart. That is, the sin that leads to death demonstrates a failure to repent of one’s sins and believe the Gospel. Like the individuals in Hebrews 6:4-6, it seems impossible that these individuals, who are steeped in sin, will ever repent.

Of these three views, I believe the view that it reveals an apostatizing heart is the most consistent biblically and contextually. For example, an unrepentant heart is one that refuses under any circumstances to repent. They are made aware of the truth and completely reject it. Their lifestyle, then, is one of apostasy. And this lifestyle, this sin, leads to death.

Now, a quick point must be made about death. We are so earthly bound that when we hear the word death we instantly think of the death of our bodies. But Scripture often uses the term to refer to spiritual death. This, no doubt, is what God referred to in Genesis 2:17. It is what Paul refers to in Ephesians 2:1-3.

We pray, then, for those who are sinning. We pray for acknowledgement of sin, for reliance on Christ, and for growth in holiness. But what about the one who sins that lead to death? John simply, and eerily states, “I do not say that one should pray for that.” That seems a little hopeless and heartless. But John does not say we cannot pray for them, he simply says he does not say we should.

We pray in accordance with the individual’s lifestyle. Now, I want to offer a word of pastoral encouragement. You and I are incapable of seeing an individual’s heart. While John does not encourage prayer for one who’s sin leads to death, we simply do not know. Knowing Paul only from Acts 8:1-3, we would assume he committed the sin that leads to death. But God, as Paul would say in Ephesians 2:4, who is rich in mercy, saved this persecutor of the church and changed him into a preacher for the church.

In other words, pray like the individual’s soul depends upon it, for it truly does.

THIS PASSAGE REVEALS WHAT SIN IS—all wrongdoing is sin

Our final focus this morning is that this passage reveals what sin is. This is especially important as we intercede for one another. If we see someone routing for the opposing team, we do not pray for that. But we do pray for those who are sinning. Like the lawyer in Luke 10 asking Jesus who his neighbor was, we often say, “Well, what is sin?” There are times when we deal with issues of freedom, and so we are prone to impose our views or consciences on others. This is not what John is talking about.

John is referring to wrongdoing. It is normally translated unrighteousness. The standard by which we evaluate wrongdoing does not come from our opinions or views or desires. Our standard of wrongdoing, or unrighteousness, comes from the Word of God, as the London Baptist Confession of Faith reminds us,

“The supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved.”— London Baptist Confession of Faith I:10

We learn what is right and wrong from God’s Word. His Word is what distinguishes between sin and righteousness. What is important, in particular to our time this morning, is to develop a biblical understanding of right and wrong in order to intercede for others.

When we understand what the Scriptures teach, we are able to truly help our brothers and sisters. Hebrews 10:23-25 offers a helpful [YELLOW TAB]

Hebrews 10:23–25 ESV

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We have a biblical responsibility to help each other, which includes watching out for sin in each other’s life.

APPLICATION

When know people who are long gone. We have read about them in Scripture and we can look at examples in our experiences. But how do we apply this to our lives? What steps can we take?

Be a part of the Church

This is assumed in John’s statement, but when you commit to a church you commit to watch out for one another. This is why church membership is so important. We need each other. The Christian life is never a singular life. The Christian life is a community life. Church membership is not an option for the Christian, it is a responsibility. It is a commitment where we engage in spiritual discipleship for each other.

Be intentional with each others’ lives

When you practice biblical church membership, you will be engage with each others’ lives. We will know what is going on in each others’ lives. We will become aware of the sins in each others’ lives and work to help each other overcome that sin. Move past the normal “how are you doing?” and into the “What is God teaching you?” “What are you struggling with?” “How can I pray for you?”

Love each other enough to address actual sin

In Ephesians 4:15, Paul offers incredible encouragement and biblical balance for handling sin and growth in one another’s life. [RED TAB] It is the same thought found in Galatians 6:1! We humbly walk with one another, and when we see a brother or sister fall, we help them up. We lovingly call them out for their sin and seek to restore them through prayer and love, but we lovingly speak the truth.

Humbly receive the rebuke of others

This is hard, is it not? I have yet to meet an individual who likes being rebuked. It is something we must prepare our hearts before hand. This is the thought behind Galatians 6:1, “Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” We need to be prepared for rebuke before it comes.

We also need to realize that when someone comes to us about a sin in our life, they are doing so in love. It is not easy to confront someone, and to do show demonstrates a deep and true love. We need to humbly receive that rebuke and trust that the Lord will bring life, or restoration.

Always remember God’s marvelous grace

While John differentiates between the two types of “sins,” or lifestyles, and ends with a simple statement that he would not pray for an individual given to apostasy. But we must remember that we are completely incapable of seeing into someone’s heart. We also always undervalue the grace of God. Where sin increases, Paul tells us, grace abounded all the more. We call it amazing grace, marvelous grace, or greater grace, for a reason. Pray fervently, and God has routinely shocked us by showing us grace.

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