sin, death, no prayer: thoughts on 1 John 5:16
John has an interesting insight in his first letter chapter 5, verse 16.
To questions clamor for our attention. What is the sin that leads to death? What's the deal with not praying for someone?
Firstly, what is the context? Who is this for? Brothers/family of Christ. This is a family matter. All of us adopted into God's family have a new citizenship and are commissioned as ambassadors to this broken world. Perhaps verse 17 could be rewritten as, "All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to ambassadorial recall (death)." In the political lives of our countries, ambassadors are sent to represent their sending country's interests. Sometimes, the ambassadors are such obnoxious guests in the country they are sent too, that they must be recalled. Some do such a wonderful job, that their job security is independent of which political party is in power. However, even those who do well miss their homes and are eager to return and to hear, "Well done." Not all recalls are for poor performance, but not all ambassadors receive a medal on their return.
In light of this concept, are there examples of early recalls due to poor representation in the New Testament? I can only think of two occasions. In Acts 5, a couple in the newborn church seek more acclaim than they are due, by averring a donation of all their proceeds from a land sale, when they were actually holding back some for themselves. The problem wasn't the amount but the lie. Peter confronts them individually, and they both lie and they both die.
This couple was recalled for their wicked precedent. The only other incident I can think of in the New Testament is noted by Paul in his first letter to Corinth, chapter 11. Paul refers to the deaths euphemistically as "sleep." I think only believers' deaths are called "sleep." He blames their untimely naps on their irreverent approach to the Eucharist.
Illness and death are judgments from the Lord (v. 30). But they are judgments of mercy, their sleep protects them from the coming judgment on the world (v. 32).
I think these examples illustrate wrongdoing among believers that result in their early recall in an act of merciful judgment. They illuminate John's concept of sin that leads to death.
However, can there really be things we shouldn't pray about? My reading in Jeremiah this morning turn up plenty of examples. Jeremiah's commission was to warn the Southern Kingdom, Judah, of their impending judgment, similar to the judgment they witnessed in the Northern Kingdom. The judgment is due to their unfaithfulness to God. [The imagery God uses to illustrate their unfaithfulness is frankly coarse and graphic. It's at least a PG-13 book.] In 7:16 God tells Jeremiah, So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you. In 11:14, Do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their distress. Finally in 14:11 Then the Lord said to me, "Do not pray for the well-being of this people.
God's point is their judgment is guaranteed, don't waste your breath. I think John is merely echoing God. The sin in Jeremiah is idolatry, a violation of the second commandment (links to my 6 recent posts on that one). John must have this in mind as he concludes his letter 5 verses later with this, Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. v. 21 (NIV) Were Ananias and Sapphira committing idolatry? Were the Corinthian communion partakers idolatrous? No. Their sins stand on their own. Don't lie to God, don't worship Him irreverently. Doing so can lead to the believer's early recall. John's point may include the avoidance of syncretism. Don't blend worship of God with other idols. And don't pray for those guilty of such things for why try to hinder God's merciful judgment on them?
If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. (NIV)
To questions clamor for our attention. What is the sin that leads to death? What's the deal with not praying for someone?
Firstly, what is the context? Who is this for? Brothers/family of Christ. This is a family matter. All of us adopted into God's family have a new citizenship and are commissioned as ambassadors to this broken world. Perhaps verse 17 could be rewritten as, "All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to ambassadorial recall (death)." In the political lives of our countries, ambassadors are sent to represent their sending country's interests. Sometimes, the ambassadors are such obnoxious guests in the country they are sent too, that they must be recalled. Some do such a wonderful job, that their job security is independent of which political party is in power. However, even those who do well miss their homes and are eager to return and to hear, "Well done." Not all recalls are for poor performance, but not all ambassadors receive a medal on their return.
In light of this concept, are there examples of early recalls due to poor representation in the New Testament? I can only think of two occasions. In Acts 5, a couple in the newborn church seek more acclaim than they are due, by averring a donation of all their proceeds from a land sale, when they were actually holding back some for themselves. The problem wasn't the amount but the lie. Peter confronts them individually, and they both lie and they both die.
1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. 3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." 9 Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. (NIV)
This couple was recalled for their wicked precedent. The only other incident I can think of in the New Testament is noted by Paul in his first letter to Corinth, chapter 11. Paul refers to the deaths euphemistically as "sleep." I think only believers' deaths are called "sleep." He blames their untimely naps on their irreverent approach to the Eucharist.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. (NIV)
Illness and death are judgments from the Lord (v. 30). But they are judgments of mercy, their sleep protects them from the coming judgment on the world (v. 32).
I think these examples illustrate wrongdoing among believers that result in their early recall in an act of merciful judgment. They illuminate John's concept of sin that leads to death.
However, can there really be things we shouldn't pray about? My reading in Jeremiah this morning turn up plenty of examples. Jeremiah's commission was to warn the Southern Kingdom, Judah, of their impending judgment, similar to the judgment they witnessed in the Northern Kingdom. The judgment is due to their unfaithfulness to God. [The imagery God uses to illustrate their unfaithfulness is frankly coarse and graphic. It's at least a PG-13 book.] In 7:16 God tells Jeremiah, So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you. In 11:14, Do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their distress. Finally in 14:11 Then the Lord said to me, "Do not pray for the well-being of this people.
God's point is their judgment is guaranteed, don't waste your breath. I think John is merely echoing God. The sin in Jeremiah is idolatry, a violation of the second commandment (links to my 6 recent posts on that one). John must have this in mind as he concludes his letter 5 verses later with this, Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. v. 21 (NIV) Were Ananias and Sapphira committing idolatry? Were the Corinthian communion partakers idolatrous? No. Their sins stand on their own. Don't lie to God, don't worship Him irreverently. Doing so can lead to the believer's early recall. John's point may include the avoidance of syncretism. Don't blend worship of God with other idols. And don't pray for those guilty of such things for why try to hinder God's merciful judgment on them?
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