WHAT CAN YOU KNOW? Devotion 19 of 32 "There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it" (1 John 5:16b). TO JEREMIAH On one occasion, God said to Jeremiah, "Therefore PRAY NOT FOR THIS PEOPLE, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I WILL NOT HEAR THEE" (Jer 7:16). There is a tone of Divine determination in these words that takes hold of the sensitive heart. The sin of the people had been of such a nature that it actually moved God to the point where He "abhorred His own inheritance" (Psa 106:40). TO EZEKIEL To Ezekiel, the Lord said of wayward Israel, "Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, THEY SHOULD DELIVER BUT THEIR OWN SOULS by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD" (Ezek 14:14). Here were three men who kept the faith in the midst of great corruption. Noah stood alone against a world. Daniel kept the faith and received remarkable revelations from God in the midst of a heathen government, and during the time of the chastening of God's people. Job maintained His integrity in the face of unspeakable trials. Yet, the Lord says, if all three of these men were to enter among the Israelites of Ezekiel's day, they could have no sanctifying influence upon the nation. God would not spare the nation even for those three men! OF THE PHARISEES During Jesus' ministry, He confronted the opposition of the Pharisees. It was on a consistent basis, and of a most grievous nature. Our Lord never said anything good about them, nor did He urge His disciples to pray for them. In fact, concerning those Pharisees, He told His disciples "LET THEM ALONE: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" (Mat 15:14). One version says, "So ignore them" (NLT). A SIN THAT CANNOT BE FORGIVEN Jesus spoke of a sin that could NOT be forgiven – under any circumstances. He did not specify exactly what it was, for precisely identifying this transgression was not the point. Rather, the objective was to alert men to the direction of sin, that they might learn to hate it all, thereby distancing themselves from this particular transgression. "Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit NEVER HAS FORGIVENESS, but is subject to eternal condemnation" (Mark 3:28-29, NKJV). "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, IT SHALL NOT BE FORGIVEN HIM, neither in this world, neither in the world to come" (Mat 12:31-32). A SPACE TO REPENT On one occasion, the glorified Christ addressed the church at Thyatira about their tolerance of a false prophetess. He said of her, "And I gave her SPACE TO REPENT of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works" (Rev 2:21-23). This woman did not avail herself of that "space to repent," and thus came under judgment. She went beyond the point of effective prayer. IF GOD PERMIT Spiritual life cannot be sustained by an apathetic spirit, or in a state of disinterest and neglect. Furthermore, spiritual growth is imperative, for if it does not take place, there WILL be a lapse back into sin. Therefore, those in a backward stance are admonished to "go on to perfection," growing up into Christ "in all things." However, the Spirit adds a word to this exhortation that is most startling. It suggests recovery may not be as easy as lethargic souls suppose. "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection . . . And this will we do, IF GOD PERMIT" (Heb 6:1-3). Those who take this word seriously will immediately get to the matter of growing up in Christ. The hope is that they have not lingered too long in a retarded spiritual state. PERHAPS GOD WILL GIVE REPENTANCE Repentance is something that is given to men. In fact, God has exalted Christ "with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for TO GIVE REPENTANCE to Israel, and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:31). But do not imagine that repentance is given under any and all circumstances. Divine discretion is involved in granting repentance. For this reason holy men alerted sinners to the jeopardy of neglecting an immediate abandonment of sin. -- Tomorrow:
There are some whose sin has carried them beyond the point of recovery, and therefore beyond effective prayer. Such are in a place where intercession by the most holy individual is of no avail. The Lord does not speak often of such people, nor with lengthy discourses. He does, however, say enough so we can be aware of where sin can lead a person, or a people.
Those who imagine that every sin is the same before God are simply wrong. God has said too much about this matter for such things to be affirmed. Our text says there is a sin for which prayer is out of order. It is true that "all unrighteousness is sin." But all sin does not fall into the category of being "unto death." The Spirit continues, "and there is a sin NOT unto death" (1 John 5:16). That is the sin for which prayer can be effective.
Sin is not to be approached as though recovery from it is always possible. There is an anaesthetizing power in sin that puts both heart and mind to sleep, and it can bring one into "the sleep of death," from which there is no recovery (Psa 13:3). While it is a dreadful thing to contemplate, it is necessary that we be acutely aware of the danger associated with lingering in sin, or sinning willingly. Some of the statements God has made concerning the futility of prayer under certain conditions will serve to make these things more apparent to us.
Again the Lord said to Jeremiah, "Therefore pray not thou for this people, NEITHER LIFT UP A CRY OR A PRAYER FOR THEM: for I WILL NOT HEAR THEM in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble" (Jer 11:14). Those who imagine they can neglect God, despise His commandments, and walk in their own way with impunity, need to do some serious rethinking. Here is an instance where prayer in the time of trouble would not be heard by God.
And again God said to the weeping prophet, "Then said the LORD unto Me, PRAY NOT FOR THIS PEOPLE FOR THEIR GOOD" (Jer 14:11). I realize that is a little difficult for some to process, but it is the Word of the Lord. Jeremiah was not to pray for the good of the people. Sin can push a person or a people into this condition. Do not doubt it.
Emphasizing the dreadful condition into which Israel had descended, the Lord added, "Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, YET MY MIND COULD NOT BE TOWARD THIS PEOPLE: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth" (Jer 15:1). Here were two of the most powerful intercessors that ever lived. Yet, were they to come back from the dead and plead for the people of Jeremiah's day, they could not move the Lord to be mindful toward His own people. If you wonder how damaging sin is, consider that statement!
Hear the Lord as He reasons further with Ezekiel. "Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, THEY SHALL DELIVER NEITHER SONS NOR DAUGHTERS; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate" (Ezek 14:16). The judgment had gone forth upon the people, and the righteous trio of Noah, Daniel, and Job could not deliver the offspring from the judgment determined upon that nation. Their righteousness would only save them – no one else.
Again, the Lord affirms that not even a single son or daughter could be delivered by the righteousness of Noah, Daniel, and Job. "Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, THEY SHALL DELIVER NEITHER SON NOR DAUGHTER; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness" (Ezek 14:20). Many a person has adopted a theological stance that does not allow them to receive such words. Such individuals should scrap their theology without delay.
Paul told young Timothy that the servant of God "must not strive," but be gentle in his approach to transgressors. His reasoning is most arresting. "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; IF GOD PERADVENTURE WILL GIVE THEM REPENTANCE to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will" (2 Tim 2:25-26).
After Simon the sorcerer believed and was baptized (Acts 8:13), he witnessed Peter and John praying that believers in Samaria would receive the Holy Spirit. When the people received the Spirit, Simon became envious, and sought to purchase "this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:19). Peter's response reveals the seriousness of the sin Simon committed in making such a request. "Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, IF PERHAPS THE THOUGHT OF THINE HEART MAY BE FORGIVEN THEE" (Acts 8:22).
In my judgment, the average professing Christian needs more discernment in these two areas: the seriousness of sin, and the power of prayer. Our text expands the horizon of both subjects. Let none imagine they can trifle with sin! Nor, indeed, let any sensitive soul delay praying for those who are sinning!
PRAYER POINT: Father, with David I pray, "Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression."