“If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.” (1 John 5:16-17 NLT)
Realizing this is a passage that has been debated for centuries, I’m not pretending to know with certainty that I have the answer, but I do believe the Lord has given me insight to at least begin to understand what John is saying here. In this context I’m reminded of Proverbs 7:4-23 where Solomon describes a young man caught in the trap of a seductive woman. Verses 22-23 are the most revealing to me when he writes: “He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap, awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life.”
On the other hand, I think of Joseph, held captive by the Egyptians, who was sought after by Pharaoh’s wife to be seduced, but the writer of the Hebrew letter said of Joseph: “He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.”
The sin that leads to death is not a single sin we commit, but a lifestyle in which we seek the pleasures and satisfaction of the world that rob us of the joy, peace, and satisfaction that only Christ can give. It may be a lifestyle of affluence where money is our god, and we seek the pleasures it can afford; or a homosexual lifestyle where our pleasure is sought in ungodly sexual relationships; or even in heterosexual promiscuity where sex is essentially our god that we seek; or habitual lying, cheating, stealing, or unbelief in whatever form it rears its ugly head we set a pattern with our life that digs our grave and builds our coffin around us.
“Yeh, but isn’t EVERY sin pattern like this?” Yes, but remember John is speaking to the Church. He’s speaking to those who have professed faith in Christ and are supposedly seeking to live godly lives. What if the sin that leads to death is being committed by professing believers who have lost their way? They may have made a commitment to the Lord at one point and regularly attend church. They may not miss services very often and may even hold leadership positions, but their hearts aren’t owned by Jesus.
Like the young man in Proverbs, the lure of being a “successful Christian” outranks and overshadows their need to be a slave of Christ? Jesus fades as the image of ourselves grows larger. Our sin gets swallowed up in our success and status as a “leader” and we no longer need God’s grace, as our grace is sufficient. It happens to Pastors as well as those who are lay leaders of congregations large and small.
It’s frightening to me the number of “Christian” Denominations that have accepted homosexual behavior and lifestyle as “normal” and “acceptable,” even though the Bible clearly teaches it is sin and is NOT acceptable to a holy God. Can’t any of these people turn from their sin and be forgiven? Yes, of course, but that’s the point, the sin that leads to death sees no reason to repent; thus, they can never be forgiven. To not ask is to forfeit our privilege of being forgiven.
Ultimately, the only sin that cannot be forgiven is the one for which no forgiveness is asked, but to be so ingrained in an ungodly lifestyle we wrongly believe is okay with God is a road that leads straight to hell.
Admittedly, this is a gray area, so my “policy” is to not make a hasty judgment, so, I continue to pray for lost people regardless of their circumstances until they come to Christ, die, or the Lord makes it clear there’s no longer any reason to continue to pray for them, which to date hasn’t happened.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 