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A Sin Unto Death. What Does 1 John 5:16-17 Mean?. Background: I John 5:14-17. John is addressing prayer requests in the immediate context; note the word “ask” in verses 14, 15, and 16 God hears our prayers (v. 14) God answers our prayers (v. 15)
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A Sin Unto Death What Does 1 John 5:16-17 Mean?
Background: I John 5:14-17 • John is addressing prayer requests in the immediate context; note the word “ask” in verses 14, 15, and 16 • God hears our prayers (v. 14) • God answers our prayers (v. 15) • Proper and improper intercession (prayers for others) is dealt with in verses 16 and 17
What Sin Is This? It is not… • A sin leading to the death penalty (Rom. 13:1ff) • A sin punishable by death from God (Ac. 5:1ff) • A sin punishable by excommunication from the church (1 Cor. 5:1ff) • Suicide
What Sin Is This? It is not… • Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Mk. 3:29) • A “mortal” sin that brings death (in contrast to a “venial” sin that does not bring death) • A specific sin; the general “a sin” or “sin” is used here (without the Greek article)
What Sin Is This? • A “sin not unto death” is any sin that is confessed, renounced, repented of and forgiven by God, not leading to eternal death – the “second death” (1 Jn. 1:7-9; Prov. 28:13) • A “sin unto death” is any sin that is never renounced, never repented of, leading to eternal death – the “second death” (Heb. 6:4-6)
For What Sinner Do We Pray? • There are many examples of the faithful praying for sinners (Job 42:7-9; Gen. 20:7; Psa. 106:23; 2 Chron. 30:18-20; Ezek. 22:30; Amos 7:1-3) • We pray for sinners who are humble and repentant (Jas. 4:7-10; 5:16-20) • We do not pray for sinners who are hardened and unrepentant and have no intention of forsaking their sin (Jer. 7:16; 11:14; 14:11; 15:1-2)
Death or No Death? • All sin is wrong and leads to immediate spiritual death (1 Jn. 3:4,14; 5:17; Gen. 2:17; Isa. 59:2; Rom. 6:23; Acts 8:22) • All unrepented sins will lead to future eternal death – the “second death” (Rev. 2:11; 20:6,14; 21:8) • The choice is yours: Isaiah 1:16-20; Ezekiel 18:26ff
Two Great Needs Today • First, take the responsibility for the spiritual well-being of fellow-Christians. Do you “see your brother sinning” (v.16) and do anything about it? • Second, take sin seriously, knowing that it can and will lead to fatal consequences if persisted in