THE SIN THAT DOES NOT AND THE SIN THAT DOES LEAD TO DEATH

I John 5:16-17

Before diving into 1 John Chapter 5 verses 16 & 17, let’s first take a much granular look at the verses before actually reading them! I think this will help us to better understand what John is saying here!

First let's hone in on the phrase “If anyone sees”! What this Implies is a close personal relationship and a repeated pattern of behavior.

Now another thing that is consistent with Johns writing through the entire Epistle is the reference to “his brother” which is to be taken as true believers. Those who have accepted Jesus and for the most part are living for him unlike those who do not acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior!

And diving in a bit more on key phrases in verses 16 & 17 let’s look at the phrase “committing a sin” which speaks of a pattern or habit.

And very important is the phrase “not leading to death” which refers to sins of ignorance, foolish passion, frailty and personal weakness. You know you just messed up and momentarily fell to temptation!

But to repent we must look at the phrase John uses “He shall ask”which is to humbly ask! This is the believer’s role in intercession and restoration.

And lastly but far from last is the phrase that “God will give him life.” meaning physical life not death and a restored spiritual life.

And to the one who witnesses this brother or sister committing sin their prayer should be as John eudes “Lord, restore my brother and use me to do it.”

However, for the Sin That Leads To Death we need to hone in on two phrases in particular! These are…

“There is a sin that leads to death.” “There is a kind of sin.” And though not specified it becomes more apparent as we dive in.”

And secondly John says “I do not say that one should pray for that meaning the Sin that Leads to Death.” and he says this because there is a time you must turn your face away and say, “God, do what you want, and I will accept it.” For when this occurs even the person who is committing the sin that leads to death has reached a point of not being capable of repentance! You will understand this better as we move on through this study!

So what are some reasons John might be telling us I am not asking you to pray for this person engaged in sin that leads to death? Because of what happened to those who sinned unto death.

They have become so hardened spiritually that prayer could not change them.

Their Spiritual awareness has died.

They have gone down a path disregarding the truth which destroys the ability to respond to the truth!

They have stifled spiritual impulses. Second, you decisively reject the truth.

They have already died as a result and prayer will no longer do them any good! It’s in God’s hands and HIS alone now!

A few Biblical Names You MIght Recognize and I might pronounce right are experienced the Sin That Leads to Death

Moses

Nadab and Abihu

Uzzah

Ananias and Sapphira

Believers in Corinth

So bringing this a bit closer to home… John is saying that such prayers are unnecessary. If a person commits sin that leads to their death, we don’t need to pray about that. Pray instead for those who are still living, no matter how serious their sin might be.

In other words, it is wise for Christians to pray for people who are caught in sin and help rescue them from these sins so that they don’t die. Once a person has died because of sin, we do not need to pray for them any longer, because they are now in the hands of God. Prayer for the sins of the deceased accomplishes nothing.

When read this way, the verses about the sin unto death not only make more sense in context, but also make sense in light of the rest of Scripture, and in our own experience as well.

For example, we all know that there are certain behaviors and actions which can lead a person to an early grave. But aside from that, there are even some sins which may cause God to discipline a person with early death. Those who did not properly observe the Lord’s Supper are another example as you can read about in 1 Corinthians 11:30.

There is also the example of the man who was boasting about sleeping with his stepmother and again in 1 Corinthians 5:5. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 there is a whole list of regenerated people who died as a result of rebellion against God. Then as I previously mentioned along with others there is the account of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). All of these people committed a sin unto death, that is, a sin that led to their untimely death.

The sin unto death is not a sin to spiritual death, but a sin that leads to an untimely physical death.

So I think you are ready for the verse now and I pray you have understanding because many pastors tend to stay away from such teachings but they are in the bible! They are as much God’s Word as his promises of prosperity and they are to be taken seriously! Let us read now!

I John 5:16-17

16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.