Romans 3:23 reminds us that no one is exempt from sin; we have all fallen short of God’s glory.
As a result, Romans 6:23 warns us that sin brings death.
Yet, there is hope. The second part of Romans 6:23 declares that God’s free gift to us is eternal life through Christ Jesus.
So while our sin may be great, God’s love and mercy are greater.
Deadly or Mortal Sin
John wrote about a sin that is considered deadly or mortal. Since all sin leads to death, what is the nature of deadly sin?
First, let’s consider John’s words.
If you see your brother or sister committing what is not a deadly sin, you will ask, and God will give life to such a one—to those whose sin is not deadly.
There is sin that is deadly; I do not say that you should pray about that.
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly (1 John 5.16-17).
The Catholic Church has a category of mortal or dead sins. One Internet article explains their beliefs as follows.
Mortal sins are considered to be so serious that they can lead to eternal separation from God if not repented of and forgiven through the sacrament of confession.
The Church teaches that three conditions must be met for a sin to be considered mortal:
(1) Grave matter: The sin must involve a serious violation of God’s law, such as murder, adultery, or theft.
(2) Full knowledge: The person sinning must know its gravity and its consequences.
(3) Deliberate consent: The person must have freely chosen to commit the sin, without coercion or duress.
You Never Know
Although Baptists do not classify sins as mortal, I must confess that I have stopped praying for some individuals.
However, I find it incredibly rewarding to witness God’s love and grace in action, especially when someone whom I previously perceived as an adversary becomes one of God’s friends.
During my time at seminary, I met a man who had been serving a life sentence for murder at Angola Prison in Louisiana. Despite his past, his conversion was so remarkable that the governor granted him a full pardon.
Many people may have deemed him beyond redemption, but his future wife refused to give up on him. She prayed for him and helped him discover the boundless grace of God.
Throughout my interactions with him, I found him to be an unassuming man who didn’t seek to glorify his past. We graduated from seminary together and went on to pastor small churches.
Given that we cannot know who has committed a mortal sin, it is important to persist in prayer for all individuals.
When Should We Stop
Is there ever a time to stop praying for someone?
After all, John wrote, “There is sin that is deadly; I do not say that you should pray about that” (verse 16).
In my personal experience, there are moments when I feel compelled to pray for someone, while at other times that feeling dissipates. While this is not a completely reliable indicator, it can still provide some guidance.
I’ve found that Romans 8:26 serves as a helpful guide when praying for others.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8.26).
Here are two thoughts on the importance of prayer:
(1) Seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit can enhance the effectiveness of our prayers.
To acknowledge our limitations and invite the Spirit’s direction, we might pray, “I don’t know how to pray, but I trust that you do. Please guide my prayers.”
(2) Tears are a powerful form of prayer, especially when we carry a deep burden for someone.
Rather than feeling inadequate for not being able to articulate our thoughts, we can trust that our tears convey our heart’s cry to God.
In fact, a mother’s tearful prayers for her children can have a profound impact on their lives, even those who seem distant from God.
Overall, let us remember to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and trust in the power of prayer, whether through words or tears.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I continue our study of 1 John today. The video can be found on the Bob Spradling YouTube channel.
Real Voices 