If We Don’t Pray Who Will? (I John 5:16)

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.

THE STUDY:

          This verse can be difficult to understand. Lack of understanding can cause people to interpret incorrectly and therefor miss the real meaning of the verse or passage. We don’t want to do that with this verse.

          John earlier stated his purpose for writing as that his readers might never sin (2:1). Here, however, he acknowledges the possibility that believers may sin. A brother may commit a sin and need correction. The present participle sinning may suggest falling into a sinful pattern, not just committing an isolated sin.

John affirms that Christians are obliged to pray for each other—he should pray. Asking God on behalf of another is especially warranted when a fellow Christian struggles or makes overtly sinful choices. God’s children are family, entrusted with the gospel, and responsible for each other.^[1]

There is a lot more to this verse and we will leave that up to the scholars to debate. But for now I feel we need to concentrate on the aspect of brothers praying for others who sin.

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that we should never quit praying. Praying for our brother, who is thought of as family, is a responsibility each of us have. If we don’t pray, who will!

CONCLUSION:

          Dr. John F. Walvoord, in the chapel of Dallas Theological Seminary, one day told of a mother who prayed for her son for 60 years to be saved. One week before her death, the mother received a long-distance call from her son saying that he was saved.

          Today, there might be someone the Lord has laid on your heart to pray for. Maybe He has given that person to you many years ago. Whatever the case may be, PRAY! Don’t stop praying! You never know when that pray might be answered.

         

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (168). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.