Sin unto Death; 1 John 5:16

Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death. In 6:23 there is no distinction all sin leads to death. John is not making the same connection. This is seen clearly in the statement, "committing a sin not leading to death."

What we must keep in mind as we seek to understand this passage is the context of prayer. John does not encourage prayer in situations of sin leading to death. This prayer is not prohibited but it is obviously not encouraged. This is nothing foreign to Scripture. Elsewhere we see instances the prohibition of prayer in certain situations or obviously excluding some people from prayer (1 Samuel 2:25; Jeremiah 7:16-18; 11:14; 14:11).

Here is the example of exclusivistic prayer by Jesus, "I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours" (John 17:9).

So what about 1 John 5:16? Here are some explanations from history:

1. Some have claimed a distinction between forgiven sin (not leading to death) and unforgiven sin (leading to death). But it must be explained even further. Are we talking about Christians who die with unconfessed sins or every unbeliever who never seeks forgiveness? Yet this would lead us not to pray for the lost.

2. Sins committed unintentionally (not leading) and sins committed defiantly (leading to death). Yet Jesus prayed on the cross for defiant sin.

3. Sin unto death is heinous sin. Yet this forces the creation of an extra-biblical category defined by the church. This does not explain Scripture it adds to it.

Here's where I fall
4. Sin not unto death is the sin of believers. Sin leading to death is the sin of unbelievers. John has used distinctions throughout the letter in regard to the children of god and unbelievers. Unbelievers deny the incarnation. Unbelievers deny Christ's death was necessary.

The distinction continues: "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life."

There are those who are born of God and those who are not. There are those who are protected by God and those who are not. There are those the evil on touches and those he does not. There are those who are from God and those who are not. There are those who have understanding and those who do not. There are those who know Jesus is true and those who do not know Jesus is true. There are those who are in Jesus Christ and those who are not.

Conclusion: we should pray for the specific sin of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are not encouraged to pray for the specific sin of unbelievers. We pray for their conversion, their eyes to be opened, their hearts to be changed. Our prayers for Christians and non-Christians should be different because Christians and non-Christians are different.

Father, I pray for the church. I pray for our faith and our specific sins. Strengthen our love for Christ. Turn our eyes from the world to what truly satisfies. I do not pray for the sins of the world. Instead, Father I pray for a new heart. I pray for their conversion and repentance. Turn their hearts to You. Help the church to be different and make a difference.

In Jesus' name
Amen