sin leading to death

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.

1 John 5:16-17

I should be proactive in praying for my own and for others in repentance and forgiveness. Christians will do wrong, personally, and to one another. And when we do, we turn from it in repentance, trust Christ to receive and to give forgiveness, and are thankful in the outcome of grace. Those are the sins “not leading to death” as John puts it here.

But what do we make of this concept of “sin that leads to death”? I think we need to place this statement in context. It comes at the end of John’s teaching in this letter. It seems clear that death punishable sin is that committed by an unconverted person. John has constantly talked about the signs of life in a Christian: 1) we repent of sin (1 John 1:9), 2) we believe the true gospel doctrine of Christ as Son of God and fully human (1 John 4:2-3), 3) we love God and love God’s children (1 John 4:7-8, 11). A life not professing and evidencing these three aspects of faith may be committing sins that lead to death.

Thank God that repentance and faith are real life experiences! Thank God that His Son has taken death’s sting away so we may know eternal life with Him! Thank God that we can prayerfully turn from wrongdoing and follow Jesus!