The apostle John, near the end of his first epistle addresses sin in God's people, and our reaction to it. He wrote:

If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. (1 John 5:16-17)

Recently I received an e-mail from a brother, asking what this text is about. Certainly, one can see how it might cause confusion, as John seems to say that not all sin results in death. And yet, the apostle Paul plainly taught that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 3:23), without exception.

John does not diminish the serious nature of sin. In fact, he affirms that "all unrighteousness is sin," and affirms that "whoever is born of God does not sin, but ...keeps himself..." (1 John 5:18). Again, he wrote, "Whoever abides in Him does not sin" (1 John 3:6). And John plainly reveals one of his reasons for writing is "so that you may not sin" (1 John 2:1).

All this being the case, we can safely conclude that John was in no way minimizing sin by referring to a sin which does not lead to death. But what is this, and that which he contrasts it with - a sin leading to death?

There is no list of sins which are "sins leading to death" and an alternate list of "sins not leading to death." That is not the distinguishing factor. In fact, a sin (ie. violating the speed limit) may be a sin leading to death in one person, while in another individual, it may be a sin not leading to death. The element which determines whether a transgression is a sin leading to or not leading to death is the willingness of the offender to repent.

John tells us to pray for the one who has sinned, who has a humble heart, for they will be willing to repent, and God is certainly willing to forgive such a person and to give life. Pray for this person. James told us that

the prayer of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed. (James 5:15-16)

It is important that God's people pray for one another, and especially that we might be victorious over sin. When a Christian stumbles and is overcome by temptation, we should pray for that one. When a Christian enters sin unaware, we should pray for that one. Such individuals have sinned a sin, as John identifies it "not leading to death."

On the other hand, the one who has committed a "sin leading to death" is unwilling to repent; they have transgressed the will of God willfully. John says it is inappropriate to pray that God grant life to that one - their heart is filled with wickedness.

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation... (Hebrews 10:26-27)

John is not saying we should have no concern for those who have sinned willfully, but the process to follow is different. Those who have sinned through selfish arrogance or disdain for the will of God must be "delivered to Satan" (1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:20). There is a pattern of Biblical discipline instituted by God to bring the wayward Christian back to faith. They will not come to repentance on their own - else God would not have given such detailed instructions about how to deal with the one who has sinned a "sin leading to death" (see Matthew 18:15-17; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:4-7, 13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; Titus 3:10-11; 2 John 9-11).

Those who have sinned a sin leading to death need to be disciplined, lest they die in their sin. Those who have sinned a sin not leading to death, when they realize their sin, will turn from it and repent earnestly. Let us do our part to help those who have fallen into sin, whether that leading to death (impenitent) or that not leading to death (penitent).