Continuing our study of 1 John, we pick up at verse 16 of Chapter 5. Under the inspiration and direction of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle John writes:
“If anyone sees his brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, he 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 you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.” 1 John 5: 16-17
Opinions vary greatly on exactly what sin the Apostle was speaking of that leads to death. Was it spiritual death as was the spiritual death of Adam and Eve when they did not believe God?(Genesis 2:17) Or was he speaking of the rejection of Christ Jesus as the way to salvation and to the Father? (John 3:16, and 14:6) (Hebrews 6:4-6) Or blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? (Mark 3:29) Or was it physical death, as was the death of Ananias and Sapphira when they lied to God?(Acts 5:1-11) We do not know. It is not for us to judge the results of sin, that is in the hands of our Lord.
What He has placed into our hands is the privilege to pray for a brother or sister that we see has fallen into sin. We are not to judge them, or to gossip about them, or turn our back on them, but our desire should be to help them. How many times have we seen a home destroyed because a brother or sister fell into an adulterous affair. Or a family destroyed because a brother or sister began to drink excessively, or use drugs beyond the need for pain, or to ignore the needs of the family because of the love of money, or egotistical desire of position, and the list goes on. The sad part is the enemy is so subtle, and crafty he can get into our mind by throwing those fiery darts of wrong thoughts. If we allow them to stick, he has a foothold, and “that can give birth to sin, and when it is full grown gives birth to death”. (James 1:15)
The Word says, “Pray and God will give them life.” They need a light to shine on what they are doing that can be so harmful. They can never lose their salvation if they have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, and are born again; “for by grace they are saved through faith, and that not of themselves, it is a gift of God” (Ephesians 2: 8-9); but the damage that could be done to the lives of all involved could lead to great harm or even to death. Death and destruction of marriages, families, relationships with friends, careers, spiritual testimonies, and spiritual power.
So let us pray in love for our brothers and sisters, asking the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit to intercede for them, and for us. To reveal to them, and to us, those things in our lives that need to go.
Be blessed by His love and grace, and great mercy, God’s Beloveds.
Poppa B.