A Sin Unto Death What Does 1 John

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A Sin Unto Death What Does 1 John 5: 16 -17 Mean?

A Sin Unto Death What Does 1 John 5: 16 -17 Mean?

Background: I John 5: 14 -17 n John is addressing prayer requests in the

Background: I John 5: 14 -17 n 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) n Proper and improper intercession (prayers for others) is dealt with in verses 16 and 17

What Sin Is This? It is not… n A sin leading to the death

What Sin Is This? It is not… n A sin leading to the death penalty (Rom. 13: 1 ff) n A sin punishable by death from God (Ac. 5: 1 ff) n A sin punishable by excommunication from the church (1 Cor. 5: 1 ff) n Suicide

What Sin Is This? It is not… n Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Mk.

What Sin Is This? It is not… n Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Mk. 3: 29) n A “mortal” sin that brings death (in contrast to a “venial” sin that does not bring death) n A specific sin; the general “a sin” or “sin” is used here (without the Greek article)

What Sin Is This? n A “sin not unto death” is any sin that

What Sin Is This? n 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) n 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? n There are many examples of the faithful

For What Sinner Do We Pray? n 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) n We pray for sinners who are humble and repentant (Jas. 4: 7 -10; 5: 16 -20) n 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? n All sin is wrong and leads to immediate spiritual

Death or No Death? n 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) n All unrepented sins will lead to future eternal death – the “second death” (Rev. 2: 11; 20: 6, 14; 21: 8) n The choice is yours: Isaiah 1: 16 -20; Ezekiel 18: 26 ff

Two Great Needs Today n First, take the responsibility for the spiritual well-being of

Two Great Needs Today n 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? n Second, take sin seriously, knowing that it can and will lead to fatal consequences if persisted in