We are instructed to pray for everyone:
·
First of all, then, I urge that supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and
all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life,
godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight
of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
However, John had instructed us to NOT pray for everyone:
·
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)
In order to reconcile these verses, we have to tackle the
question: “What is sin the leads to death?” It seems that John has in view the
person who refuses to repent and continues willingly in sin. Why? First of all,
this is sin that we can “see.” A lifestyle of unrepented sin is not hard to
see, and it is something that leads to eternal death.
The next verse suggests that John had in mind someone who
has made a lifestyle out of unrepented sin. In contrast, the true believer
repents: “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on
sinning...” (1 John 5:18).
The first chapter of 1 John further supports the idea that
it is about repentance and the confession of sins, by which we are given the
assurance that if we confess, we will be forgiven and restored:
·
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Why doesn’t John cite as an exception “sin that leads to
death?” Because it is not an exception! Therefore, it seems likely that it is
because “sin that leads to death” represents a willful refusal to confess and repent, because when we truly confess, all is forgiven and cleansed. Paul had
been the worst of sinners. If anyone had committed a sin that leads to death,
it was Paul! However, God set him forth as an example to teach us to not fear
that we might have gone too far by committing “sin that leads to death” or the
“unpardonable sin” (1 Timothy 1:15-16).
If the worst sins did not lead to damnation, what then could John have referred to by “sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death” (5:16)? What sins, then, could be seen as leading to death if not murder and worse? Only unrepented sins are left!
If the worst sins did not lead to damnation, what then could John have referred to by “sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death” (5:16)? What sins, then, could be seen as leading to death if not murder and worse? Only unrepented sins are left!
This understanding agrees with the rests of the Scriptures –
the most hardened find restoration (King Manasseh), even on their deathbeds. Therefore,
I think that it is Scriptural to pray even for the unrepentant. However, we
must pray that they will first come to repentance!
This leaves us with a problem. On the Cross, Jesus had
prayed:
·
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what
they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. (Luke 23:34)
However, Jesus didn’t specifically pray that they would
confess their sins and repent. However, it is likely that Jesus also had their confession
in mind as a precondition for forgiveness.
The Unpardonable Sin
I mention this sin here because it seems that the
“unpardonable sin” should be understood in light of the above. About this sin,
Jesus had stated:
·
“Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy
will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be
forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven,
but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this
age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:31-32)
What then is this blasphemy, this speaking “against the Holy
Spirit?” It seems like it is another instance of purposeful, unrepented sin. The
Pharisees had seen many of Jesus’ miracles. Nevertheless, they purposely
ascribed them to Satan instead of to the Spirit, clearly the author of these
various miracles. Their lives demonstrated an unrepentant commitment to a
sinful lifestyle.
However, this account includes one extra element – They
would never be forgiven. But why could they not confess their sins,
repent, and find forgiveness? Without God drawing them, they simply would not
(John 6:44).
However, there might be a better way to understand “never be forgiven.” Perhaps if they were
to continue in repented sin they
would never be forgiven. Why? Paul had not only killed Christian but, even
worse, had forced they to renounce Christ. What could be worse! If he was
forgiven, perhaps also those who had sinned the “unpardonable sin?”
Another consideration
– Jesus had warned:
·
“but whoever denies me before men, I also will
deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33)
However, Peter had denied Jesus three times, but he was not
only forgiven but also commissioned to feed the flock of Jesus. How are we to
understand this paradox? It is likely that Jesus had been warning against
denying Him permanently and unrepentantly.
If this is so, then perhaps we should regard the “unpardonable sin” in a similar way – It remains unpardonable as long as our rejection of Jesus remains permanent.
If this is so, then perhaps we should regard the “unpardonable sin” in a similar way – It remains unpardonable as long as our rejection of Jesus remains permanent.
Should we then not pray for unrepentant? I think we should. Why? For one thing, all are unrepentant before they come to the Lord. For another thing, we are instructed to pray for all. However, I don’t think we should pray for their welfare without also praying for their repentance.
In any event, it is important to encourage the many who fear
that they might have committed the unpardonable sin. If they are still
concerned about God’s forgiveness, then it seems likely that God is drawing
them. This is because those who are not being drawn regard the things of God as
foolishness:
·
The natural person does not accept the things of
the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand
them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
In contrast, there is always hope for those who wish to hope
in God.
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