Pray for Others (1 John 5:16-18)

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.
(1 John 5:16-18, NASB)

Prayer is a privilege. The very idea of being able to talk with our Creator, to commune with Him, to request of Him … it’s an amazing thought.

We can praise Him, thank Him, intercede for others, ask for needs to be met … and He listens to us.

Another aspect of prayer is praying for our brothers and sisters who are caught in the trap of sin. It’s not our responsibility to save them, but we can pray for them. We can pray that their hearts will be convicted and that they’ll repent of their sin.

Now I want to address verse 18. This seems to contradict many other words of scripture. Paul wrote many times of fighting sin. And yet, John wrote that “no one who is born of God sins.” He went on to say that “the evil one does not touch him.”

Yet Jesus Himself told Peter that Satan had made a request to “sift him like wheat” (Luke 22:31). And of course, God allowed Satan to more than touch Job. So who’s right? Do children of God sin or not? Well, yes. And since we all sin, are we not children of God?

I’m said before. I’m no theologian. I’m just someone who loves God and loves His word. I pray that the Holy Spirit will illuminate God’s word and reveal truth to me. I sometimes “get it” and sometimes I’m still perplexed at the mystery.

But this is what I believe. I believe that we accept the gift of salvation, and when we do, we are cleansed of our sin and we look forward to eternity with God—Father, Son, and Spirit. But while we’re on earth, we still battle our flesh. And there are times the flesh—however briefly—wins. But as we grow in faith, as our relationship with God becomes stronger and more intimate, we recognize our sin more quickly and immediately confess it.

And pain and suffering? Crises and tragedies? Are they from God or from the enemy? I’m not sure in every case. But this I know. God knows everything. He sees things we don’t. He knows what we need in order to be stronger in faith. And if He sometimes allows the enemy to touch us, it’s because He knows it will eventually turn out for our good (Romans 8:28).

No, I don’t know all the answers, and I know I never will this side of heaven. But I trust God. I know what He’s done—and continues to do—in my life. So even when I don’t quite understand, I’ll believe Him. Because He’s God, and I’m not.